The Government notes the statement issued this morning by the GSD shadow Minister for Care, the Hon Atrish Sanchez, regarding the situation regarding hot water at Mount Alvernia and the allegation that Minister Arias-Vasquez is avoiding Parliamentary Scrutiny. This is absolutely not the case.

The situation is as follows:

Minister Arias-Vasquez was asked on GBC Viewpoint last week (16th January 2025) about dental waiting times. Minister Arias-Vasquez explained she was unable to provide the answer on live television as there was a Parliament Question submitted by the Hon Ms Ladislaus on this matter. Minister Arias-Vasquez explained that whilst she would love to provide the information during the GBC debate, the information was not in the public interest and therefore, according to a ruling from Madam Speaker, had to wait until the next session of Parliament.

The following morning, on 17th January 2025, the Government received Press Questions from GBC on the issue of Mount Alvernia hot water. There was also social media commentary on this. Minister Arias-Vasquez was aware of the Parliament Question from Ms Sanchez, but, given the questions posed by GBC and the significant concern on social media about their relatives potentially being washed with cold water, Minister Arias-Vasquez considered it was in the public interest to disclose the information ahead of Parliament. The Government understands that it is convenient for the GSD that the situation on the hot water at Mount Alvernia is not clarified. However, it most certainly is within the public interest to explain that the most vulnerable members of our community are being cared for properly.

HMGoG therefore finds it necessary to set out the Parliamentary Convention. The convention allows for answers to questions to be given before Parliament if it is in the public interest – and the custodian of the public interest is the elected Government.

This was set out by Madam Speaker in Parliament in a ruling she gave in September 2024 which read as follows:

“For their benefit and for the avoidance of doubt, I summarise the position that there is a longstanding rule of practice that when a question has been filed it should not be addressed by way of a government press release, statement, interview or other announcement save if it is a matter of urgency or pressing public interest, in which case exceptions may be made, but those exceptions do not displace the general rule.”

Additionally, in a ruling made by Speaker Adolfo Canepa on 30th January 2019, he said:

“Specifically, as regards the public interest, the question as to who decides what is in the public interest is a substantive one for politicians, particularly the Government of the day, and not for the Speaker to decide.”

Therefore, because the Government considered that it was in the public interest for relatives to know that no resident of Mount Alvernia has EVER been showered with cold water by ERS staff and that there has always been hot water available at Mount Alvernia, Minster Arias-Vasquez decided to respond to the GBC Questions on 17th January 2025 – before any post was made on social media. Minister Arias-Vasquez communicated this directly to Madam Speaker ahead of the Parliament session later this week.

The Minster for Health and Care, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said: “I am of the firm view that if there is a concern in any part of our community which relates to the most vulnerable members of the community, the concern is to be addressed immediately. I will not be persuaded otherwise. We are dealing with the challenges as and when they arise - not just during weekdays. I will answer all questions put to me in Parliament in as much detail as possible, as I always do, and I will continue to respect Parliament, as I always have done and always will do. The question is – Is there a need for family members to know that their relatives are receiving the proper care? Whatever the answer to that question, it is in the public interest for me to reply immediately. This is very different to a question on waiting lists. This in no way detracts from the very full reply I intend (and have always intended) to give Parliament on Wednesday.”

ENDS