Updated - MPs this morning presented a list of almost 60 persons whom they wish to question during the hearings of the Public Accounts Committee on the auditor's report on Enemalta oil procurement. Hearings start on August 26.
The government's list presented by Parliamentary Secretary Owen Bonnici includes former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, former ministers Austin Gatt and Tonio Fenech, former Enemalta chairman Alex Tranter, Police Inspector Angelo Gafa and his team, the Auditor General, Dr Chris Gatt, Nationalist MP Claudio Grech, representatives of Enemalta's audit partners, Frank Sammut and the members of the Fuel Procurement Committee, George Farrugia (who was given a presidential pardon to help police investigations on alleged commissions, Godwin Debono, Inez Farrugia, former MPs Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and Jesmond Mugliett, former Police Commissioner John Rizzo, Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi, Manuel Delia, former head of secretariat in Dr Gatt's ministry, former Enemalta chairman Tancred Tabone, traders for various oil companies and William Spiteri Bailey.
The Opposition's list, presented by MP Kristy Debono includes many of the people in the government's list as well as Frans Attard, Alfred Camilleri, Antoine Galea, Louis Giordmania, Dr Godwin Grima and David Spiteri Gingell former Enemalta CEO.
Today's lists were presented at a procedural meeting of the Public Accounts Committee. Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi substituted former minister Tonio Fenech as chairman.
The decision was taken in agreement by both sides of the House since Mr Fenech, formerly responsible for Enemalta is to be called as a witness before the committee.
Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi, a member of the PAC, has been substituted by Labour MP Luciano Busuttil for the same reasons.
Nationalist MP Claudio Grech also declared, when the witnesses list was declared, that he would withdraw from the committee.
At the opening of the sitting, Mr Grech asked whether the PAC can function as a board of inquiry. Parliamentary Secretary Owen Bonnici said the committee would be discussing the auditor general's report and its findings. The committee had the authority to summon witnesses to establish the circumstances which led to the findings of the report. Nationalist MP David Agius said the committee had been tasked by the House Business Committee to examine the report, not hold an inquiry.
Dr Azzopardi said the committee would discuss the report. He proposed that the committee should allocate three or four sittings for the purpose.
The Auditor General, who was present for the meeting, said it was not normal for the Auditor-General to be summoned to witness. What needed to be said had been said in the report.
MPs agreed that explanations could be requested from the auditor.
The auditor said his Office should not end up being the subject of the investigation since that would impinge on its independence. In the same context, he insisted that any explanations should therefore be sought only from him, and not members of his staff.
The auditor said questioning should not be under oath.
Labour MP Justyne Caruana said witnesses were obliged to say the truth, either way.
Mr Agius (PN) said the questions could all be directed to the Auditor-General who could then refer to his staff.
Parliamentary Secretary Bonnici agreed.
Both sides agreed that MPs could request explanations, as far as possible, only from the Auditor-General or his deputy. They would not be officially summoned as witnesses and would not need to give their replies under oath.
See more details on the auditor's report at http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130715/local/audit-office-in-damning-report-on-enemalta-fuel-procurement-hedging-between-2008-and-2010.478133