Dalli given qualified green light

John Dalli has passed his test in the European Parliament, although not with flying colours.

The two committees that examined him on his suitability to become a European Commissioner have recommended that the Parliament approve his nomination for the post.

However, MEPs on the committees listed a number of issues they expect Mr Dalli to rectify during his five-year mandate as Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy.

Socialist MEP Jo Leinen, chairman of the lead committee assessing Mr Dalli, sent an evaluation letter to Parliament president Jerzy Buzek saying that "on balance, Mr Dalli made a positive and constructive impression and demonstrated firm convictions on certain issues while evading clear answers on others".

The confidential letter, seen by The Times, states that, during the three-hour grilling, Mr Dalli demonstrated a very good knowledge of the main issues regarding public health and a reasonable grasp of all other topics.

"The committees concerned expect that the promises to re-assess pending legislative proposals will also be followed by the submission of new legislation," it was stressed.

Mr Lienen informed the EP president that the substantial majority of the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, which he heads, and the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Policy "can express their support for the nomination of Mr Dalli".

MEPs could look forward to the Maltese commissioner demonstrating "by his deeds over the next five years, that the reservations expressed by some were groundless".

The official letter endorsing Mr Dalli was drawn up following intense closed-doors meetings among MEPs and political group coordinators responsible for evaluating Mr Dalli's performance.

Sources close to the meetings said that, despite the impression given that Mr Dalli's hearing was plain sailing, not all MEPs were satisfied with his performance and some were even toying with the idea of requesting European Commission José Manuel Barroso to change some of his responsibilities.

The issue that seems to have irked most MEPs was Mr Dalli's comments on consumer policy, particularly on the relationship between the completion of the internal market and the possibility of member states maintaining or introducing stringent national measures.

This was also highlighted in Mr Lienen's official assessment letter: "Several political groups expressed worries that some of Mr Dalli's statements might give the impression that the completion of the internal market could take precedence over public health and consumer protection policies.

"Since other commissioners are in charge of internal market and innovation, several political groups asked for a strong commitment from the commissioner-designate to focus on the main mission of his portfolio, which implies guaranteeing a high level of consumer and health protection."

Mr Dalli's thoughts on the future of genetically-modified organisms did not go down well with MEPs either.

Mr Leinen said that "although some political groups would advocate transferring the responsibility of GMOs back to the portfolio of the Commissioner-designate for the Environment, the political majority agrees to maintain the portfolio as it stands on the understanding that he (Mr Dalli) will ensure a comprehensive assessment of health and environmental aspects in his decisions on GMOs and launch and support financing of studies about impacts of GMOs on public health".

Mr Dalli's long political experience definitely left its mark on his MEP-examiners, so much so that this was also recognised in their evaluation. "Mr Dalli has given a convincing impression of his personal and professional capacities and his aptitude to assume the high office for which he has been proposed."

Mr Lienen said that Mr Dalli's pledge to be the guardian of consumer interests was warmly welcomed by MEPs as was his commitment to engage MEPs before taking important decisions related to his portfolio.

The new Barroso Commission is expected to be voted in during a session of the EP on February 9, just in time for a gathering of EU leaders in Brussels for an extraordinary summit. The vote has been delayed after Bulgaria had to propose another nominee to take the place of its rejected commissioner-designate.

Following the endorsement of the new Commission, Mr Dalli is expected to resign both as a minister and MP.