THE events at the airport over the Bank Holiday weekend in May last year made it probably, in hindsight, the most politically-charged week of the year.

And it was one I was invited to relive during those crucial few days when giving evidence to the Tribunal of Inquiry. As I expected I would, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

This was the first time I’d ever been invited to address an inquiry of this nature in Guernsey.

I must say, I was impressed with the set-up and particularly the professionalism of those involved. I couldn’t help but have respect for those people doing a difficult job on the tribunal.

I was pleased with the way my evidence came across; it was simple to address the panel when dealing solely with the truth of the matter.

The States of Deliberation had decided that they wanted a process which was completely and totally honest and transparent, and I believe that is what they have got.

Under that environment, politicians can feel entirely liberated to be able to tell the truth without fear of criticism.

It was true that I attended that meeting with the airport firefighters in order to listen to their case – not to negotiate with them – and I did relay their request for a further interim payment to my senior colleagues when I returned to Frossard House later that day.

And it is correct to say that we acted to prevent an emergency, not because one had been declared.

Whatever misgivings people may have had before this process began, I am sure it will assist in allowing us to get to the heart of this important issue. If the inquiry recommends how we can improve our negotiating style, and the States listens to that advice, then ultimately the taxpayer will benefit, and in my view significantly so.

Wales Audit Office Good Governance report

Much has been made of a poor turnout at the public meeting organised by the Public Accounts Committee for open discussion on the Wales Audit Office’s report on good governance in the States of Guernsey.

But aside from the public meeting, the WAO staff who had been in Guernsey have facilitated a series of workshops, open to all deputies, chief officers and senior staff, which have given us the chance to concentrate on how we can translate those principles into something which can be made real for the States of Guernsey.

The feedback I have had from all quarters involved has been excellent and I understand from what I’ve been told that there is a surprising amount of consistency in the views expressed.

I for one look forward to the outcome of this process.

At the time of the report’s publication I said that the findings on the way the States operates were fully justified and unsurprising, and I welcomed the report as an opportunity to improve the way the States functions.

I hope that soon that the States will be mature and wise enough to embrace the changes that will be recommended, with the resulting benefits for the States and our community.