Tourism Ministry awards dual contracts to Ryan Pace

Ryan Pace, a 31-year-old lawyer with relatively modest experience in the legal field and a prior association with the private law firm once linked to Prime Minister Robert Abela, has secured several consultancy roles funded by the government. Notably, Pace holds at least two concurrent contracts under the Ministry for Tourism, both offering separate remuneration packages. These positions have prompted renewed discussions about transparency, accountability, and the legal boundaries surrounding public sector appointments in Malta.

A review of public records obtained through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests by The Shift has revealed that Pace, despite his young age and brief legal career, currently benefits from no fewer than 12 government-funded retainers. These appointments span several entities, yet his involvement in the tourism sector—through contracts under both the Ministry for Tourism and the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA)—is particularly noteworthy.

Appointments under the Ministry for Tourism

The first of Pace’s known contracts with the Tourism Ministry dates back to 2022, when he was appointed legal advisor under a “person of trust” arrangement. The initial appointment was granted by former Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo and was later extended under the tenure of his successor, Ian Borg.

The role, structured as a part-time consultancy, carries an annual compensation of €34,000. While considered part-time, there is no published public information regarding the number of hours worked or the specific deliverables expected from the role. This lack of detail fuels public interest in the contract’s justification and execution.

An additional position with the Malta Tourism Authority

In 2023, Pace obtained a separate contract with the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), an entity that also falls within the jurisdiction of the same government ministry. The MTA appointed him as both its legal advisor and its Data Protection Officer (DPO). The terms of this second role include a four-year agreement with a guaranteed minimum remuneration of €24,000 per year.

The duties associated with this contract extend beyond legal consultancy, covering data protection responsibilities and handling FOI requests submitted to the Authority. Additionally, litigation and other specialized legal services carried out by Pace under this arrangement are compensated separately through public funds.

This second engagement with the MTA further expands the scope of his influence within the Tourism Ministry's remit and raises significant concerns about the potential for conflicts of interest, particularly considering his combined responsibilities for legal advisory and freedom of information issues.

Lack of transparency on payments and FOI implications

Despite multiple FOI requests filed to ascertain the exact value and scope of payments made to Pace, the MTA has refused to provide detailed financial disclosures. It remains ambiguous whether the FOI responses denying such information were themselves authored or approved by Pace, given his dual role within the MTA.

The overlapping roles suggest a troubling possibility of self-regulation, where the same individual functions both as legal counsel and the authority responsible for deciding what information the public may access. This dual responsibility—particularly within a state-funded entity—poses risks to impartiality and undermines trust in the FOI process.

Broader context of government secrecy in trust appointments

The issue is compounded by recent reports that the Office of the Prime Minister has instructed ministries not to disclose the identities of individuals appointed under personal trust contracts. This directive has been evidenced by consistent refusals to parliamentary questions and FOI requests seeking information on such appointments.

These practices have been criticized as a systemic effort to prevent scrutiny over the expanding use of trust-based contracts within the government, often awarded without public advertisement, competitive selection, or clear performance indicators.

In response, The Shift has lodged a formal complaint with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, requesting an investigation into the legality of the government’s refusal to disclose details related to public appointments and consultancy agreements.

Concurrent public and private legal practice

Adding to the complexity of the situation is the fact that Pace continues to practice full-time law from a Valletta-based office that previously housed Abela Advocates, the private legal firm associated with Prime Minister Robert Abela. While it is unclear whether Pace currently maintains formal ties with Abela Advocates, the proximity of his current office to that firm has been widely noted.

Alongside his roles at the Tourism Ministry and MTA, Pace holds a part-time position as Chairman of the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). This high-profile regulatory role adds another dimension to his public sector involvement and raises additional questions about how such a wide range of responsibilities can be fulfilled effectively by one individual.

Concerns about governance and legal boundaries

The concentration of multiple part-time roles in the hands of one lawyer—especially someone relatively new to the profession—highlights broader concerns about public governance in Malta. These include:

• If these appointments truly benefit the public interest
• The sufficiency of legal and procedural protections governing trust-based appointments
• The potential for conflicts of interest when the same individual holds advisory and regulatory roles across connected entities

Given that payments for litigation and consultancy can also be invoiced separately, the full financial benefit accrued by Pace from the public sector remains unknown. Without transparent reporting and accountability, the public is left without a clear view of how public funds are being allocated and whether they are being spent efficiently or fairly.

Formal investigations and legal safeguards

The filing of a complaint with the Data Protection Commissioner by The Shift indicates that civil society actors are actively seeking redress through institutional channels. The aim is to determine whether the government’s refusal to release names and payment information tied to person of trust contracts breaches transparency obligations under Maltese and EU law.

This legal route may also serve to clarify whether officials in such roles can legally act as both gatekeepers and respondents in FOI processes—especially when the data being requested pertains to their own remuneration and contracts.

Legal implications and risk management

Given prior legal correspondence and threats of litigation related to reporting on this matter, all assertions made herein are based on publicly available documents and statements of fact. The reporting does not allege impropriety or wrongdoing but seeks to illuminate the growing practice of concentrated public appointments through trust contracts.

No accusations are made regarding the legality of Mr. Pace’s contracts or his personal conduct. Instead, the emphasis lies in the importance of transparent public administration and the appropriate handling of potential conflicts of interest in legal and regulatory functions.

Conclusion

The case of Ryan Pace’s multiple public sector appointments, particularly within the Ministry for Tourism and the Malta Tourism Authority, underscores pressing concerns surrounding transparency, accountability, and governance in Malta’s public administration. While there is no allegation of misconduct or illegality, the concentration of public roles—many of which are awarded through non-transparent “person of trust” arrangements—raises legitimate questions about the efficient use of public funds, potential conflicts of interest, and the erosion of public confidence in state institutions.

The dual roles held by Pace, especially where legal advisory duties intersect with responsibilities for handling Freedom of Information requests, present a structural risk to impartial oversight. Compounded by the refusal of public bodies to disclose contract and payment information—even when such information is sought through formal FOI channels—the current framework leaves room for justifiable concern among civil society and media watchdogs.

As the matter now lies before the Data Protection Commissioner, the outcome may serve as a legal litmus test for the permissible limits of confidentiality in public appointments and the balance between privacy and the public’s right to information. Ultimately, for Malta’s democratic institutions to function with integrity, all government appointments—particularly those funded by taxpayer money—must be subject to clear scrutiny, fairness, and full transparency.

FAQs

Who is Ryan Pace?
Ryan Pace is a 31-year-old lawyer who previously worked with Prime Minister Robert Abela and currently holds multiple part-time roles in public sector entities, including the Ministry for Tourism and the Malta Gaming Authority.

What roles does Ryan Pace hold in the Tourism Ministry?
He serves as a legal advisor under a person of trust contract and also as legal advisor and Data Protection Officer for the Malta Tourism Authority.

How much is Ryan Pace paid annually by the Ministry and MTA?
Combined, the two contracts offer him at least €58,000 per year. This does not include additional legal fees for litigation or other government retainers.

Is it legal for one person to hold multiple public contracts?
While not illegal, such arrangements raise ethical questions and concerns about governance, especially when oversight roles overlap.

Why is there controversy surrounding his FOI responsibilities?
Because Pace also serves as the person responsible for handling FOI requests at MTA, questions arise as to whether he could be reviewing requests about his own contracts.

Was there a competitive selection process for these contracts?
No public record exists of an open competitive process. The roles were granted under “person of trust” designations.

Does Ryan Pace still work in private practice?
Yes, he continues to work full-time as a lawyer from an office formerly used by Abela Advocates.

What has the government said about FOI requests related to person of trust roles?
The government has reportedly instructed ministries not to disclose such information, prompting concern from transparency advocates.

What steps have been taken to investigate this matter?
A formal complaint has been submitted to the Data Protection Commissioner to review the legality of withholding public information.

Are there any legal allegations made against Ryan Pace?
No. This article makes no claim of wrongdoing by Mr. Pace. It focuses on transparency and governance concerns linked to public appointments.