Dalli speaks of plans to safeguard European health sector

The Malta Independent On Line

Tuesday 12th January 2010

by Annaliza Borg

http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=100009


In a time of economic and social crises, the need to safeguard the health sector is crucial, said the Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner-designate, John Dalli in a written reply to a questionnaire, which the European Parliament sent to all designates.

The replies, as well as those of the other Commissioner designates, were published on the European Parliament website in the past days.

In his reply, Mr Dalli said that the key challenges to the Health Sector, remain those related to the sustainability and accessibility of health services in a fast-changing demographic reality.

Questions to the Commissioner-designates, test their ability and suitability for the post. They cover subjects including personal qualifications, relevant experience and motivation for promoting the European general interest. His European commitment, independence and communication skills are also being tested.

The questionnaire and its answers were submitted prior to Mr Dalli’s confirmation session (also known as grilling session), which will take place in Brussels on Thursday. European citizens may follow the live broadcasting of the hearings through Europe by Satellite and though web streaming both on EP Live and on EuroparlTV.

“The grilling of the Commissioner-designates may be the most media-friendly example of European Parliament oversight of the work of the Commission, but it is just the beginning,” said Julian Vassallo, Head of the European Parliament Office in Malta.

The confirmation sessions started yesterday and will come to an end today week, after which the MEPs from the relevant committees will deliberate before sending their conclusions in writing to the Conference of Presidents (the President of the European Parliament and political group leaders), which will meet with the Conference of Committee Presidents to discuss the results.