Interview | Wednesday, 10 February 2010 Issue. 150

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Dalli to ‘keep listening’ from Brussels

In an interview conducted just after his appointment as EU Commissioner, JOHN DALLI tells James Debono that he is not renouncing his membership in the Nationalist Party, in which he intends to remain pro-active to ensure that it continues to respect its principles

Are you are calling it a day with local politics, and involvement in the Nationalist Party in particular, now that you have become EU commissioner?
I am still and will remain a member of the Nationalist Party, so long as those who run the party reflect my principles. And I will be proactive to ensure that these principles are upheld. These are the principles of democracy, solidarity, inclusivity and subsidiarity.

Do you intend carrying on as ‘father confessor’ to the backbench from Brussels? Or have you left the backbenchers ‘orphans’ to your advice?
I will listen to all those who would want to speak to me and will continue to share my thoughts on any situation in Malta.

Your appointment to the EU Commission, and Louis Galea’s appointment to the Court of Auditors, means that the two other contenders for the Fenech Adami succession are out of the political game, at least for the present; and also that two only remaining politically active veterans from the original 1987 Cabinet will no longer be part of government. What is the political significance of this?
This means that much of the collective memory of the government has been lost. If this is a break from the past it is wrong, because much of what we have today has its roots in past rationale. There are many people who were part of that rationale who can give an input, if they are asked.

The latest decision taken by the government before you leave is that of awarding a substantial compensation to bus owners. People can’t understand why the government is offering a considerable compensation to bus owners while they are feeling the pinch of the crisis themselves. Do you blame them?
Government is nationalising the existing bus service to be able to privatise it again along different rules. It is buying an asset from the present bus owners, and therefore it must pay a compensation for it. I am informed that the price paid is lower than the going market price.

As from tomorrow you will stop being a Maltese Minister and become a European Commissioner. From what you have seen so far, what is the most striking difference and the most striking similarity between the two roles?
The major difference is that at EU level the focus is on ensuring the harmonisation of the European citizen quality of life. It is more on setting standards and ensuring that these standards are kept. It is also about managing EU-wide events like pandemics. In the health sector, the actual delivery of services is left to the Member States who are responsible for the developing and running of all institutions such as hospitals and old people’s homes.

You have been part of cabinets presided by Eddie Fenech Adami and Lawrence Gonzi, from what you have seen so far how do they compare with EU commission president Jose Manuel Barroso?
Comparisons are odious. The level of operation is different and the context is different”.

The pharmaceutical industry was not keen on Barroso’s decision to include pharmaceuticals in the health portfolio. Why is this so?
There was resistance to this decision because the industry is afraid that, rather than being regulated on a purely economic basis, the patient aspect will be stronger in any deliberation of policy.

Your portfolio attracts strong lobbyists from big pharmaceutical and the food industries, as well as a lot concern from civil society. To whom will you lend your ears most?
I will be listening attentively to all points of view and to all arguments. Politics is all about striking the correct balance to ensure the optimum outcome in the long term”.

The average Maltese consumer is concerned about medicine prices. Much of this depends on internal factors like Malta’s small market. But as EU Commissioner, what can you do to address the international factors leading to the increase of pharmaceutical prices?
One of the issues that has struck me during the past weeks is the health inequality across Europe. Part of this is access to medicines. I will be doing my utmost to address the situation and explore ways in which existing malfunctions in the delivery of medicines can be addressed.

In a press briefing when speaking about GMOs, you said: ‘This is not only about what we put on our table. There are issues regarding international relations, food security in the future and given this complexity, the decisions should not be one-sided or taken quickly’. Are you avoiding taking a stand on this controversial issue so as not to alienate anyone?
On the contrary, I also said the state of uncertainty about such issues is a problem and should be removed. I will endeavour to move fast on these issues. It has to be realised that this is all about striking the correct balance between innovation and risk. It is also true that other economies in the global scenario are moving along fast within this sector, international trade issues are being raised in such for as the WTO and bilateral discussions. This is not avoiding issues – it is facing them.

You have expressed strong concerns about plans to allow drug companies to communicate directly with the public by allowing companies, under certain conditions, to publish information on their products in newspapers and magazines. Why are you concerned?
I am concerned that people are coerced by advertising to prescribe for themselves medications that may not be suitable for them. In this instance, a little knowledge may kill you.

As EU commissioner your office will also be monitoring Malta’s adherence to directives on things like food safety and consumer rights. How does it feel being in position to supervise a government of which you formed a part of?
I will be moving into another function, and I owe it to the Maltese people as well that I operate objectively in this function. That is what I intend to do.

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