Adrian Delia calls for a full-scale investigation into Planning Authority

Adrian Delia has called for a full-scale investigation into the Planning Authority's spending, in the wake of a decision to spend €8,750 to fly in a board member to vote on the db project a fortnight ago.

The Nationalist Party leader said the investigation should not just focus on the funding used to fly in Jacqueline Gili to Malta to vote on the db Group project but extend to the manner in which the authority spent its money.

In a telephone interview with NET FM, Delia criticised the government for not taking action against PA CEO Johann Buttigieg, for saying that the decision to fly Gili from Sicily to Malta on a private jet was a good one.

"The Prime Minister criticised the Planning Authority for this behaviour. Transport Minister Ian Borg condemned it. They both said that action would be taken on this gross misconduct but it's been two days, three days, four, and no decision has been taken," Delia insisted.

Though the Prime Minister said he did not know that Gili was flown over to Malta on a private jet, Delia argued, the way he said it betrayed the fact that he should have known.

"Who paid for Gili's flight? What are the consequences of this misconduct? This is after all an €8,750 flight for someone to do the work of a PA board member that she was supposed to do anyway," Delia asked.

The PN leader called for a full-scale investigation into the governance and spending of the Planning Authority. "Since the PA CEO knows that this was misconduct on his part, will he start referring to the Prime Minister now everytime he has to take a decision?"

When asked about the Egrant inquiry case, Delia said the full Egrant inquiry report was handed over to the Prime Minister, ostensibly so that he could "carry out his official duties".

"How and why does the Attorney General decide what the Prime Minister needs and what I need to fulfill my duties?"

Delia has initiated a court case, demanding that he be given a copy of the full inquiry. In court, last week, it emerged that the Attorney General also sent the full report to Justice Minister Owen Bonnici by email.

"This is a clear breach of the code of ethics," Delia said. "Good governance does not exist in this country anymore. We are not living in a normal country."

Delia also criticised Muscat for blaming the parents of children who were unable to benefit from the free school transport scheme. "How can he blame the parents when the scheme was his own design?" Delia asked.

The Opposition leader said that the Prime Minister was aware of the limited time of his tenure. "He knows when he will be stepping down, so his planning is not sustainable. He does not care."

PN have asked for people to help out in a fund-raising marathon taking place today from 2pm onwards. "This is imporant," Delia said, "because we, as Opposition, are speaking on behalf of people who want to have their voices heard."