Meusac when it matters

I am touched by Vanni Xuereb's haste to reassure me that a three-month-old Meusac is working effectively amid the cordiality of its Core Group members, including four political parties, AD among them, represented by Carmel Cacopardo (Effective Consultation At Meusac, November 18). There is no reason to doubt the head, Meusac's good will and earnest efforts.

My article (Maggots At Work, November 14) made the point that consultative institutions such as Meusac and the MCESD serve as a convenient façade of consultation precisely by working effectively when dealing with the humdrum chores of the government/civil society/EU interface.

When the chips are down as we have seen over the revolution in electricity tariffs, all the valid contributions made in good faith before are viciously abused.

Perhaps because of my years of service to the original Meusac Core Group during the EU Accession Process, I was kindly offered the post of AD representative as the new Meusac came into being but I declined the offer even though such public service would be remunerated for the first time. I did not even wait for three months to see how things would pan out. There was no indication yet of what would happen at MCESD. Still, my instinct was to decline.

The public service I have to offer since my resignation as chairperson of AD is the expression of my opinion in the light of my experience and not to lend my name to a false normality in the debate about the importation of shoe leather into the EU or fishing treaties with West African states.

When will Meusac set upon its agenda the matter of the amendment to our electoral system, now 12 months old, which creates two categories of political parties, two categories of voters and citizens?

When will this be examined in the light of the Copenhagen Criteria on the quality of democracy in EU member states?

Mr Cacopardo and many other Greens have contributions of the greatest value to make not only on Meusac but on every other possible consultative institution.

First I would like to see them represented in key institutions such as the Broadcasting Authority and the Electoral Commission; to hear of their contribution to a regulation of the financing of political parties.

Two decades of playing the democracy game uphill and with constantly moving goalposts have redefined my priorities. I feel that it is time for all who claim a shred of decency and particularly those with the intelligence to be aware of their personal responsibility as citizens to refuse to keep up the pretence any longer.

It is not my intention to offend the members of consultative bodies but only to honestly and respectfully express my opinion.