Money no problem as taxpayers foot the bill

Money no problem is a maxim that has been widely adopted by GonziPN. The irresponsible actions of some Government Ministers and Government owned entities have led to several fines and penalties being imposed on the country. Since the people will foot the bill and since there is no accountability within the government of Dr. Gonzi, there never seems to be any problem.

In Education, Malta lost substantial EU funds for Life Long Learning programmes due to mismanagement by the Education Ministry; fines imposed on Bank of Valletta and Enemalta have had to be absorbed by the government and last week the Courts found the Transport Ministry, the Minister and the Prime Minister guilty of having discriminated against a particular company and fined the Maltese authorities another €50,000. Since the fine will have to be paid out of the people’s coffers, no problem!

Dr. Joseph Sammut, PL spokesman for Transport and Maritime affairs said that this court decision is the latest in a string of judgments, handed down by various different Judges, against the Ministry headed by Dr. Austin Gatt. Decisions that have infringed human rights cannot be treated with impunity. In a democratic country which is a full member of the European Union, these decisions demand serious action, added Dr. Sammut.

Minister Gatt seems to regard himself as being above the law. In a press release issued by Dr. Sammut, the PL spokesman says that it is the Prime Minister’s responsibility to take all necessary measures to sanction the Minister for Transport.

Gonzi cannot feign ignorance and though the Prime Minister defended Gatt through collective responsibility, it is high time that the government takes immediate action to safeguard the country’s reputation, especially in the human rights sector.

The Labour Party spokesman said that the fact that the country pays for the arrogance and personal whims of the Minister for Transport is most unjust.

Austin Gatt is well known for his comments. He had stated that Parliament is a mere formality since the government had a five seat majority and also that his party would stay in government for the next 20 years. Recently he has been appointed to run the PN election campaign, whilst still being paid as a Minister. Furthermore he is allowing his Ministry to be used by his protégé, Claudio Grech for campaigning purposes. Although Austin Gatt thinks he is above the law, he is not. He is still accountable for his arrogance and mistakes that have cost the country considerable sums of money.