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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 23 AUGUST 2015 News 7 JURGEN BALZAN IN his recent visit to MaltaTo- day's offices, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat ruled out a Cabi- net reshuffle in the foreseeable future, however his hand might be forced by circumstances he has no control over. The first change could be trig- gered by the controversy sur- rounding planning parliamentary secretary Michael Falzon and the expropriation of a Valletta build- ing. MaltaToday understands that the Internal Audit and Investiga- tions Department (IAID) report on the government's expropria- tion of a Valletta property partly owned by Marco Gaffarena has been finalised and the govern- ment is waiting for a parallel investigation by the Auditor General to be concluded before announcing any decision. It appears that the con- clusions reached by IAID will lead to the Prime Min- ister reclaim- ing the public assets given to Gaffare- na, which would make Falzon's po- sition unten- able. M a l t a T o d a y is also informed that apart from re- claiming the eight par- cels of land transferred to Gaffarena, the Prime Minister is tempted to pilot a thorough reform of the maligned Lands Depart- ment. For years, the Lands Depart- ment was plagued by scarce in- vestment which has in turn led it to be a largely inefficient and unaccountable unit. One of the options under consideration is that of creating a new agency, which would theoretically reduce political interference. In June, the government or- dered two separate inquiries into the controversial expropriation deal in which Gaffarena was paid €1.65 million for half the owner- ship of a property in Old Mint Street, Valletta. The property at the centre of the controversy houses the gov- ernment offices of the Building Industry Consultative Council. In January this year, the govern- ment paid Gaffarena €822,500 for a quarter of the property that he had bought in December 2007. A month later, Gaffarena bought another quarter of the property for €139,762, which the govern- ment subsequently expropriated for another €822,500 in April. In June, MaltaToday reported that inside information from a highly-placed official in the Government Property Division helped identify lands that Marco Gaffarena needed for his own personal and business interests. A member of Falzon's secretari- at – Clint Scerri – could also not explain to this newspaper why he had accompanied Gaf- farena personally to the Government Prop- erty Division. O p p o s i t i o n leader Simon Busuttil in- sisted that Falzon's res- ignation was " i n e v i t a b l e " , but while the junior minister has ferociously denied any wrong- doing, Muscat has insisted that he will only take action once the in- vestigations are conclud- ed. The Prime Minister has likewise denied that anybody from his office has been impli- cated in the expropriation deal, but pledged that he would not cover up for anyone. Defending his decision to call for an IAID investigation before taking a decision, Muscat said the inquiry would "expand the investigations and ensure fur- ther transparency." District blues If Muscat decides to reclaim the land given to Gaffarena and Falzon is held politically re- sponsible, this could shift the balance on the ninth and tenth electoral districts. Falzon's re- moval from the cabinet could pave the way for a come- back by former home af- fairs minister Manuel Mallia, who was sacked in December 2014 following a shooting incident in- volving his driver. Following the embarrassing events which led to his sacking, Mallia has quietly strengthened his position in his constituen- cies and Falzon's political demise could place the criminal lawyer in a strong position in the run-up to the 2018 election. The other two Labour MPs elected from the two districts are veteran ministers Leo Brincat and Evarist Bartolo. Possible vacancies Although Muscat might have no desire to change his ministe- rial Cabinet, the health condition of two senior ministers could compel him into reshuffling his cards. D e p u t y Prime Min- ister Louis Grech is still battling an illness while on Friday 7 3 - y e a r - o l d foreign affairs minister George Vella underwent car- diac bypass surgery. If Grech's health situa- tion persists Muscat may have to consider replac- ing the 68-year-old, who occupies the role of minister for European affairs. On the other hand, the foreign minis- ter's health con- dition could im- pede him from fulfilling his ministerial du- ties, which in- clude frequent trips abroad. M o r e o v e r , former health minister Godfrey Farrugia will be un- dergoing surgery in the UK after being diagnosed with an aggressive pros- tate cancer. Although Farrugia no longer occupies a ministerial post, his health conditions nar- row down Muscat's options in an eventual Cabinet reshuffle. Despite having 39 MPs to choose from, the large Cabinet and the scarce talent within his parliamentary group do not leave Muscat much space for manoeu- vre. While Muscat could consider taking over the responsibility of any vacant portfolios, a possible candidate for a ministerial post from Labour's backbench is De- borah Schembri, who enjoys the Prime Minister's trust and is seen as a suitable substitute. Another option would be that of pro- moting the ambitious parliamentary sec- retary Ian Borg who already works within Grech's min- istry and is e x p e c t e d to play an i m p o r t a n t role during Malta's EU presidency in two years' time. MCAST reserves the right to accept or refuse in part or in whole, any or all tenders submitted. Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology Administration Building, MCAST Main Campus, Corradino Hill, Paola PLA 9032. T: 2398 7100 F: 2398 7316 E: tenders@mcast.edu.mt www.mcast.edu.mt Invitation to tender Operational Programme I – Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of Life Advert part-financed by the European Union European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Co-financing rate: 85% EU Funds; 15% National Funds Investing in your future MCAST T. 18/2015 TENDER FOR THE SUPPLY, DELIVERY, INSTALLATION AND COMMISSIONING OF VARIOUS EQUIPMENT/TOOLS INCLUDING ENERGY EFFICIENT ITEMS AND FURNITURE PRODUCED FROM ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY MATERIALS FOR THE MCAST STUDENTS HOUSE Tender documents may be requested by email (on the email address below) or collected from the Purchasing Department at the MCAST Administration Building (at the address below), from Monday to Friday, from 08:30hrs to 13:30hrs. Tenders should be placed in the pre-addressed envelope and deposited in the appropriate tender box at the MCAST Administration Building, at the address below, by no later than Friday 4th September 2015 at 11.00hrs. The Principal of the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology notifies that offers from interested parties will be received for: Illnesses and inquiries forcing new Cabinet options for Muscat The Gaffarena inquiry and health problems dogging top ministers, mean Joseph Muscat is once again considering his options inside the Cabinet YOUR FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY www.maltatoday.com.mt George Vella: cardiac surgery Louis Grech: battling illness Michael Falzon: 'under inquiry'