John Dalli
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| John Dalli | |
|---|---|
| European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 9 February 2010 |
|
| President | José Manuel Barroso |
| Preceded by | Androulla Vassiliou (Health) Meglena Kuneva (Consumer Protection) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 October 1948 |
| Political party | Nationalist Party |
| Spouse(s) | Josette Callus |
| Children | Claire Louisa |
| Profession | Accountant |
| Website | Official website |
John Dalli (born 5 October 1948) is the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy and a former Maltese politician who served as Cabinet Minister in various Maltese governments between 1987 and 2010.
Contents |
[edit] Maltese politics
Dalli was first elected to the House of Representatives of Malta in 1987 on behalf of the Nationalist Party and since then he has been re-elected in five successive elections: in 1992, 1996, 1998, 2003 and 2008. He has served as Parliamentary Secretary for Industry (1987–1990), Minister of Economic Affairs (1990–92), Minister of Finance (1992–1996, 1998–2004)[1] and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion (2004).[2] During his tenure at the Ministry of Finance (the longest in Maltese political history), Dalli transformed the Maltese economy from a centralised socialist economy to a vibrant market economy ready to join the European Union, through pushing economic growth, new social structures, increased fiscal morality and privatisation. While downsizing the labour intensive textile industry, Dalli developed the higher added value light industrial sectors and created new economic sectors such as the Freeport and Financial Services[citation needed]. Dalli is best remembered for his modernisation of the taxation system through the simplification of the income tax system and the introduction of VAT in 1994 and again in 1998.
From 1987 to 1996 and from 1996 to 2004 Dalli served as co-chairman of the Libyan-Maltese Joint Commission, during which time he led the renegotiation of all political and economic agreements between Malta and Libya to bring them in line with the EU acquis.
In February 2004 Dalli contested the election for the leadership of the Nationalist Party but lost to Lawrence Gonzi who was appointed Prime Minister. In the new Cabinet Dalli was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion. However, he resigned after serving for only three months from April to July 2004, citing attacks by members of his own party, following allegations into awards of contracts for medical equipment and airline ticketing.[3]. All allegations against him were proven false, by the auditor general and by the police. The person who appeared as the author of the allegations was sentenced for two years in prison. Dalli remained a backbench MP. In 2007 the Prime Minister, after admitting that accusations against Dalli had been disproved, appointed Dalli as a personal consultant.[4]
Dalli was re-elected to the House of Representatives in the March 2008 general election and returned to the Cabinet as Minister for Social Policy. His portfolio included health, the elderly, employment and training, housing and industrial relations. Joe Cassar and Mario Galea were appointed Parliamentary Secretaries for Health and for the Elderly and Community Care respectively to assist him.[5].
He resigned as Minister and as Member of Parliament on 10 February 2010 on his appointment as European Commissioner.[6]
[edit] European Commissioner
Dalli was appointed European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy in the second mandate of the Barroso Commission where he was given the Health and Consumer Policy portfolio.[7][8]
As with his tenure as Maltese Minister, Dalli has brought an air of innovation and development to his portfolio[citation needed]. He immediately reactivated the debate on Genetically Modified Organisms by authorising the cultivation of Amflora genetically modified Amflora[9][10]. This debate had been dormant for 12 years and after the initial controversy, Dalli managed to bring all parties together to discuss logically and unemotionally all aspects of the GMO issue[citation needed]. Reforms in the independence and authorisation procedures was also made. Dalli also defused the issue of the publication of a diary for schools which included holidays of various religions except for Christian holidays[11]. This diary was published before he took office[citation needed].
During the 2011 Libyan civil war, drawing on his vast experience of Libya and the culture of its people he warned about the long messy affair that this will develop into. His assessment was proven correct even though it were (intentionally) misinterpreted at the time[citation needed].
In the Consumer area, Dalli has reinvigorated the thrust towards empowerment of the consumers projecting the consumer as an equal partner in the single market[citation needed]. His Consumer Strategy devolves around the SIRE principle (Safety, Information, Rights and Redress, and Enforcement)[citation needed].
A new dimension was given to the health sector, around the concept of wellness[citation needed]. He reiterates that his vision and mission is to keep people out of hospital beds and this he promotes aroung Security, Prevention, Access and Sustainability.
Dalli also handles animal welfare, food safety and plant diversity in his portfolio.
This year he will be taking measures on, amongst other things, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Online Dispute Resolution, Consumer Strategy, Clinical Trials, Animal Testing for Cosmetics, The Innovation Partnership on Aging, Tobacco and Anti Microbial Resistance[citation needed].
[edit] Private sector
Qualified as an accountant, Dalli worked in the private sector in Malta and abroad, both in industry and as an independent consultant. His consultancy business was dormant during his tenure in the Maltese Cabinet and was reactivated in 2004 (when Dalli a backbencher) with an office in Tripoli and specialising in consultancy in Libya. At this time Dalli was also a director of glass manufacturing company in Libya. In 2008, on resuming politics, he quit the directorships and handed over the consultancy to his daughter.[12]
[edit] References
- ^ Malta Today
- ^ Department of Information
- ^ MaltaToday
- ^ MaltaToday
- ^ "Ministers and Portfolios". Department of Information Press Release, 12 March 2008.
- ^ http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/press_releases/2010/02/pr0225.asp
- ^ http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/misc/112851.pdf
- ^ http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/index_en.htm
- ^ http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/222&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=fr
- ^ http://www.greens-efa.eu/cms/topics/dokbin/330/330295.amflora_potato_letter_to_commissioner_jo@en.pdf
- ^ http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110114/local/john-dalli-regrets-absence-of-christmas-in-europa-diary
- ^ EU Observer, 4 marzo 2011
[edit] External links
- John Dalli Official Media Gallery
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Joe Borg |
Maltese European Commissioner 2010–present |
Incumbent |
| Preceded by Androulla Vassiliou as European Commissioner for Health |
European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy 2010–present |
|
| Preceded by Meglena Kuneva as European Commissioner for Consumer Protection |
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