Muscat defends Dalli appointment - 'We will not be dictated to by anyone in the EU'

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said today that he did not expected problems with the EU after his decision to appoint former European Commissioner John Dalli to head the Mater Dei Hospital reform. Speaking on Bondi Plus, Dr Muscat said he had kept a step back and heard all arguments. But once the Police Commissioner had decided independently in consultation  with the Attorney General that there was no case against Mr Dalli, it stood to reason that he would use Mr Dalli's abilities. He was not Mr Dalli's lawyer, but once the police commissioner of his own country said there was no case, he took his word. The government was pro-Europe, but it could not accept any diktat from anyone in the EU. It was the government which took the decisions in Malta, Dr Muscat said. The government was not asking (EU Commission President) Jose Barroso to change his position, but being a good European did not mean saying yes to everything, Dr Muscat said. He had heard the argument but once the Maltese authorities had decided independently, it was time to move forward.