The Government notes the comments made by the GSD’s Atrish Sanchez earlier today accusing the Minister for Health and Care, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, of breaching Parliamentary Convention on answers to questions.

Reacting to Ms Sanchez’s comments, Minister Arias-Vasquez said: “Ms Sanchez does not understand the Parliamentary convention she is accusing me of breaching. I am fully aware of it, and can confirm I was advised by my officials that there was a Parliamentary Question submitted by her on the issue of hot water at Mount Alvernia. Ms Sanchez should, nonetheless, know that the convention allows for Ministers to answer questions outside of Parliament when the matter is in the public interest.

"Yesterday, the Government was asked official questions by GBC on this issue. There was also social media commentary on it, which was causing widespread public concern, especially amongst those with relatives in Mount Alvernia.

“The accusation, which was becoming widespread and was causing public alarm, was that residents of ERS were having cold showers.

“This was absolutely not the case, and I am reassured by ERS staff of this.

“No resident has been showered at any point with cold water.

“Therefore, entirely in keeping with the convention, the Chief Minister and I agreed that the Government must respond to the national broadcaster’s questions to reassure the public that their loved ones were not having cold showers.

“Ms Sanchez should be grateful for this.

“Clearly, by her statement she has disclosed that her only interest was in the untrue rumour spreading which is only in her interest.  She has clearly shown she had no interest in the residents of Mount Alvernia, whether they were having cold showers or not, or in the truth being known.

“I, however, care about the residents of Mount Alvernia first and foremost, and the truth, and must act in the Public Interest. 

“I have done exactly that.

“The question which I believe I needed to ask myself is, if it was a relative of mine, would I want to wait until Wednesday to get a response on whether they were being adequately cared for? My understanding is that if it is in the public interest to respond immediately, the public needs to be re-assured.

“Ms Sanchez needs to ask herself the same question. It cannot be all about embarrassing the Government. Thats not what it is about, and it is not what the public want to see a new generation of politicians playing at.”