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Cash-for-passports scheme: PAC asks if Home Affairs perm sec merely acted as `postman'

Source: Independent.com, 13/10/2015

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today questioned the role of the
Home Affairs Ministry`s permanent secretary Kevin Mahoney in the
government `cash-for-passports` scheme, asking if he merely acted as a
"postman."

The PAC is scrutinising the contract signed between the government and
Henley and Partners, the "concessionaire" of a programme which has
been criticised as the sale of Maltese citizenship.

PAC Chairman Tonio Fenech asked Mr Mahoney numerous questions about
his role in the awarding of the contract to Henley and Partners.

Mr Mahoney said he was not aware of the exact designations of the
three people who were appointed to the evaluation committee.

Mr Fenech pointed out that it is the Mr Mahoney as the permanent
secretary for the Home Affairs Ministry who is responsible for such
matters.

Mr Mahoney replied by saying that it was the government that was
leading the `cash-for-passports` scheme, not a single ministry.

Mr Fenech countered by saying that proper records should be kept.

PN MP Beppe Fenech Adami question Justice Minister Owen Bonnici`s
participation, saying that Dr Bonnici had a role in the matter and
must decide if he wants to be part of the PAC or act as a witness.

In reply, Dr Bonnici said he made it clear that he had played a role
in the whole process, and no objections were raised about him
remaining on the Committee.

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