No-confidence motion defeated

An opposition no-confidence motion in the government over its handling of the Mater Dei Hospital project was defeated in parliament yesterday.

The House approved an amended version moved by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi congratulating the government over its latest agreement with Skanska and urging it to ensure that the hospital was completed according to the agreed terms.

During the debate Dr Gonzi said the opposition's decision to move this motion amounted to "sour grapes" following the government's successful conclusion of the talks with Skanska, which had established the opening date for the hospital and saved the people millions of liri.

But Opposition leader Alfred Sant said it was Skanska which had made the best deal since the hospital would cost much more than originally projected and the contractor would assume only the same risks it assumed before.

Dr Gonzi said the opposition was missing an opportunity to work with the government to see the completion of the hospital in the shortest possible time.

When he made his statement to the House last week, he had tried to give a complete picture without hiding anything, explaining how things had developed, the way the negotations had progressed and their conclusion.

His point of departure had been that one could criticise and controversy was inevitable but he had assumed that both sides agreed it was important for the hospital to open and if this was done, the people would benefit.

There had been an opportunity for both sides to discuss the remaining challeges for the completion of the hospital such as the migration plan, IT, catering services and the medical equipment tender. He had assumed that both sides could work together to achieve something that would be beneficial to the people.

But instead the opposition had moved a no-confidence motion. By implication, this meant that the opposition did not agree with the agreement reached with Skanska. Yet in listening to remarks by the opposition speakers it seemed the agreement reflected exactly what they wanted in the first place.

The no-confidence motion was written confirmation that the opposition was only interested in working in its own interest and not in the interest of the country.

The motion reflected "sour grapes" because the government had negotiated an agreement in the interest of the country when the opposition's interest had been that an agreement would not be reached.

Dr Gonzi spoke briefly about the talks held with Skanska, saying that there originally was an ocean of difference in the claims both sides made. The situation had been such that apart from the claims made by Skanska for Lm164 million, the contractor was also facing arbitration in the UK from one of its sub-contractors, who was making claims for Lm22 million, a claim in which the government was not involved.

Efforts for costs to be contained started back in September 2003 when Jackie Camilleri was appointed to draw up the Gap analysis report and the situation was also analysed by consultant Jack Storey, giving the government and its negotiating team the parameters of what the government should aim for.

The successful conclusion of the agreement had been welcomed by the people, not least because legal action, which could have further delayed the completion of the hospital, was avoided.

Indeed, the government had achieved more than it originally aimed for, since all the phases of the hospital would be completed on July 1, 2007 and the sites of St Luke's and Boffa hospitals would be immediately available for use, partially offsetting the costs of the new hospital's building. This, Dr Gonzi said, was a deal in the national interest. He concluded by moving an amendment replacing the opposition's no confidence motion by a motion expressing the cofidence of the House in the government and welcoming the agreement reached with Skanska.

The motion as amended by Dr Gonzi was approved with 31 votes in favour and 27 against and the original motion by Dr Sant was defeated by the same margin.