Updated February 2 4.45pm: Adds PA statement

The Planning Authority spent €48,722 on PVC window louvres for the chairman’s block through a direct order – rather than through the normal procurement system – justifying this by saying that they were urgently needed, and that there were ‘technical reasons’.

The authority said in a statement that following the building's refurbishment, the supplier who was awarded the contract to supply and install the PVC louvers, following an open call, withdrew his offer.

Had it procured them from the second cheapest compliant bidder, they would have cost €75,000.

The louvers were needed to prevent direct sunlight not only on employees' PCs but also the boardrooms were presentations were held using projectors.

The matter could not be delayed any further so the authority decided to award a direct order to a supplier who could urgently deliver and install the required louvers of the same make, specifications, design and colour as the others installed in the authority's other office blocks.

‘Technical reasons’ were also cited as the reason for the purchase by direct order of a €14,840 conference table for the chairman’s block.

€62,500 was also spent on PR and advertising for a public consultation campaign for the Paceville master plan which has since been shelved.

Transport Malta also gave a €355,00 direct order for works at the roundabout at Vjal l-Avjazzoni, describing the reason as ‘urgent works/supplier committment’.

This information was included in the list of direct orders awarded by entities that fall under the Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ministry. It is one of a series being requested from each ministry through parliamentary questions by MP Jason Azzopardi.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry replied that it had not issued any direct orders since December 2016, while the Economics Ministry awarded over €1.3 million.

Read: Over €1.3 million in direct orders by Cardona's ministry

The Health Ministry issued various direct orders for supplies, as well as some for services, but two items were also important as they relate to current issues: €99,000 was spent on works at Mount Carmel, which was recently in the news because of dangerous ceilings, and €70,000 was spent to lease operating theatres in 2016 for major surgeries.

Read the full list for Ian Borg's ministry below.