Opposition party members cited the report to propose better checks on public money invested in infrastructure. Notably, the report outlined that public money had been spent without having the necessary authorisations. The 74-page report put the entire system concerning public funding into question, taking a closer look at financing the construction and renovations of hospitals.
Generally, the Court of Auditors called for more transparency, but also confirmed that construction work on hospitals should continue once the summer break concludes, on 16 September.
CSV MP Claude Wiseler alluded to legislation from 1999, stating the importance of the Ministry of Health supplying a financial report, which has yet to occur. Mainly Wiseler took issue with the lack of clarity surrounding financial projects. The parliamentary commission expressed its desire to form its own opinion of the answers supplied by Minister of Health Etienne Schneider.
Wiseler explained that having such a financial report would allow MPs to determine whether they had additional questions and claimed Schneider's answers were insufficient in providing enough detail.
As a result, Wiseler and his party colleagues are calling for a re-organisation of the regulation mechanisms, notably arguing that the Chamber of Deputies could be charged with regulating the ministry. He cited existing mechanisms, such as those in place for public buildings or for the bridges and roads authority.
Wiseler went on to propose that the Chamber of Deputies could provide suggestions as to the ministry's internal organisation. On this point, Wiseler was clear: he claimed the report demonstrated that the ministry's current organisation, which is to say that only one or two individuals are charged with verifying funding, is far from enough. Even adding one or more individuals would help relieve the task.
The MP also suggested the government reorganise its mechanism for funding construction sites that it subsidises, highlighting that many mistakes occur in this domain too. This, however, does not only apply to the Ministry of Health, but also other ministries, including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Family Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Security, and the Ministry of the Environment.
Wiseler concluded his criticism by highlighting the need that all those involved should know there is an issue, and those involved should work on finding solutions. LSAP MP Mars di Bartolomeo affirmed that MPs have the right to investigate how exactly the state intervenes in subsidising construction. He said the Chamber should be able to approve separate budgets and be in charge of regulating how exactly the budget in question is used.
Pirate Party MP Sven Clement supported Wiseler's suggestions, pointing out the Chamber's involvement in both rail and road construction projects. On the contrary, Clement pointed out that the legislation on hospital projects is 20 years old but without clarity. Generally, Clement suggested all MPs should be informed of the government's projects and budgets in more detail.
