What makes Franco Mercieca so special?
The Minister for Justice, the Police, the Army and Broadcasting, with a friend.
If he is an indispensable ophthalmic surgeon, then surely the Minister for Justice, the Police, the Army and Broadcasting is an indispensable defence lawyer.
So what’s next? The Justice, Police, Army and Broadcasting Minister defending murderers and drug dealers in court and seeing them outside his ministerial hours for a bit of paid or unpaid advice?
What’s sauce for Franco the goose is sauce for Manuel the gander.
There really is no basis to differentiate between them. Rules are rules and if Mercieca can work on people’s eyes, then Mallia can work on their drug cases.
It would all be so very handy. He can defend them in the court for which he is responsible, against prosecution by the police and the Attorney General’s office for which he is responsible, and if they are sent to the prison for which he is responsible, he can make sure they are safe and cosy and well-guarded by warders who are not out when they should be in.
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Looks like the friend needs the opthalmic surgeon too…
That had me in stitches.
Daphne, besides focusing on what is happening (which is a scandal), we also need to focus on HOW it happened. All this surfaced because NET TV journalists were asking questions. This ‘agreement’ was reached behind the backs of everyone, including parliament.
…and watch their favourite programmes on TVM for which he is responsible.
It is unprofessional and unethical conduct for a doctor to advertise himself as a uniquely qualified ophthalmic surgeon even if this were true, let alone when the claim is contested.
It is shameful to demand favoured treatment for an individual parliamentary secretary to be accorded a unique waiver to continue in the private practice of one’s profession just as much as it was arrogantly objectionable to claim preferential treatment to board the Gozo ferry.
These are symptoms of a megalomania.
u dan iehor miskin… ghala ma hallewhx ikompli… http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-04-17/news/health-minister-breaks-into-tears-during-press-conference-1411186689/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook
What’s wrong with these people and their scenes?http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-04-17/news/health-minister-breaks-into-tears-during-press-conference-1411186689/
Excuse me but WTF?
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-04-17/news/health-minister-breaks-into-tears-during-press-conference-1411186689/
He’s afraid of losing his licence, that’s why.
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-04-17/news/health-minister-breaks-into-tears-during-press-conference-1411186689/
“Mhux Fieer, Jowzef!”
Anyway let’s say Mr. Mercieca is, indeed, indispensable for argument’s sake. Then why on Earth would he be so downright selfish as to stand for election, knowing full well the professional consequences of his actually being elected, which is why he stood in the first place, and making it all the way to cabinet?
It’s very wrong and to me, politics is not the place for the indispensable Mr. Mercieca.
Is the minister the one on the left or the one on the right?
An interesting point: he’s seeing PRIVATE patients, and not those at Mater Dei. If the waiver’s in the interest of Mercieca’s patients, surely the ones at Mater Dei should take priority?
http://www.taghnalkoll.com/?p=477
That’s what the people wanted and that’s what they’re getting. Serves them right.
Oh Gesu !
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130417/local/emotional-health-minister.465958
Let us see what Balzan and his short-sighted, out-of-ideas journalists at MaltaToday have to say. That will be one criticism to this Government to look out for, that is, if it ever comes.
The one on the right would have done better, had he voted Franco Mercieca.
Naughty.
With all due respect Daphne, that’s not the point. It’s just a side issue.
The real point here is that Rules of Ethics are rules that govern/regulate what is ethical and what is unethical. An authority can exempt you from compliance with a positive law or enactment but NOT from rules of ethical behaviour. No Prime Minister can EVER exempt you from rules of ethics.
Behaviour is ethical or unethical. Fullstop. ‘Exemption’ from rules of ethics is utter nonsense.
As if it is up to the PM to decide what conduct is acceptable and what is unethical. The code of ethics is but a mere printed rendition of a set of widely accepted and acknowledged forms of behaviour. Not a pick and mix collection of principles!
[Daphne – Yes, you’re right.]
I think this answers my question below – pure, wonderful, simple logic.
My simple question is, can Muscat even do this?
I know that since he stormed to power last month he’s been acting as if he can walk on water, heal the sick with a touch and turn water into Chateauneuf du Pape. That’s what such a meteoric rise from Super One (what the) hack to PM can do to a man.
But seriously, can’t “somebody” put him straight and cancel out such abuse of the rules?
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130417/local/pn-says-waiver-on-parliamentary-secretary-s-private-work-is-scandalous.465979#comment_1791295
Seems Mr Mercieca is not so special anymore.
Our tune: I only have eyes for you.
Aaaannnd here we have it, courtesy of the head of the ophthalmology department.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130417/local/pn-says-waiver-on-parliamentary-secretary-s-private-work-is-scandalous.465979
Head of Ophthalmology sees no risks to patients if parliamentary secretary stops practising
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130417/local/pn-says-waiver-on-parliamentary-secretary-s-private-work-is-scandalous.465979
http://zekzik.com/2013/04/17/marlene-farrugia-tbikki-l-irgiel/
So, how does appointing an ophtalmic surgeon to the cabinet, so stopping him from operating, contribute to drastically shortening the Mater Dei Hospital waiting list as promised by Labour?
And how does then permitting said ophtalmic surgeon to continue to operate only on private patients contribute to fulfilling that promise?
Or would that cause patients on the long(er) MDH waiting list to migrate to the private hospitals, indirectly shortening the MDH list?
And, if that is so, now, who stands to benefit directly from that?