The issue of the advisory council and the strengthening of the Authority's investigative powers have been resolved.
At the next meeting of the Legal Affairs Committee, the final text of the bill will be presented for positioning, since at today's meeting MPs received a text with amendments focusing on three points. "We owe a lot and have given almost nothing to society," said Committee Chairman Nikos Tornaritis. The goal set is for the authority to start operating on April 1.
At the meeting, Justice Minister Stefi Drakou said the amendments focused on adding the word "complaint" to make it clear that the Authority also investigates complaints; on the issue of appointing the advisory council which will draw up a list of three people for each position in the Authority, then consult with the Legal Committee and give a final list to the Cabinet to make an appointment; and on the issue of powers, where changes were made to strengthen investigative powers, as is being
As the Minister told the Committee, these amendments address the wishes of the majority of members.
Committee Chairman Nikos Tornaritis said the amendments encapsulate the recommendations of members. He said the advisory council would submit a list of names, the Justice Minister would come to the committee for consultation and the proposal would be put before the Cabinet.
DISY MP Fotini Tsiridou said the bill seems to include what was requested by the committee members and discussed and synthesises all views.
Rita Superman of DISY said that provision should be included for the rights of the person giving evidence to the Authority.
Nikos Georgiou of DISY said that the issue of political persons should be regulated if reference is made to them in any conclusion issued.
AKEL MP Aristos Damianou said that a person of the advisory committee cannot be a person who is controlled and cannot be an arm of the state. He also raised concerns about the issue of the committee's consultation with the minister.
DIKO MP Panicos Leonidou insisted that the members of the advisory committee should be institutional, coming from public life and not private, explaining that we should strengthen institutions and not weaken them.
EPP MP Kostis Efstathiou said it is not clear whether the members of the transparency committee will express interest in appointment or whether the consultative committee will submit ideas. He expressed the view that there should be interest so as not to give the impression of an underground consultation. He also expressed concern about the inclusion of the Academy of Arts and Letters in the advisory committee.
The MEP of the Ecologists-Civic Co-operation, Haralambos Theopeptou, noted that the members of the advisory committee should remain five, explaining that the greater the enlargement the better, because the influence of the parties will be reduced.
Among the institutions proposed by members of the Commission, at a previous meeting, that this advisory body could be composed of the Attorney General, the Auditor General, the Commissioner of Administration, the President of the Academy of Arts and Letters or the President of the Assembly of Rectors.
Statements after the meeting
Minister Stefi Drakou in statements to the media after the meeting said that there were recommendations on the appointment of members and the establishment of the advisory body as well as the strengthening of powers and the Ministry has today tabled its amendments. The debate, he said, was completed and "I hope that the bill will go to the plenary soon."
He also said that the Constitution will be amended accordingly to allow the use of the English language in the commercial court and admiralty court a matter that was also discussed in the Legal Affairs Committee as it was a recommendation of the majority of MPs. The amendment goes to the plenary tomorrow.
The Minister also said that if the Ministry is called back to a meeting next Wednesday on the issue of femicide, it will attend to present its views again.
Committee Chairman Nikos Tornaritis said that the revised text submitted by the Minister on the corruption issue is for the most part in line with the wishes of Parliament. He referred to the investigative powers of the Authority which will now also receive complaints and a full investigation will be carried out. A proposal was also tabled to establish the advisory council with a list of renowned personalities (15 in total) and from this list, after consultation with Parliament, the President of the Republic and the Cabinet will appoint the Authority which will have a six-year term of office.
"Next Wednesday the legislation will be before the Committee for the 23rd time for final debate and positioning, the hope is to outdo ourselves and achieve the passage of this powerful legislation that sends multiple messages that we are changing," he said.
Regarding the investigation and the conclusion of the Authority, he said that the first level is that of administrative/disciplinary powers, that is, the relevant authorities related to the person under investigation will be informed and at the end of the process, the situation will be made public. With regard to the file that will be submitted to the Public Prosecutor's Office for the initiation of criminal proceedings, he noted that the courts have a say and a role and after the outcome of any decision, the result will be made public.
Tornaritis also commented on the further deterioration of Cyprus in the Corruption Perception Index and said that it is necessary to harmonize with the modern world and institutions and to proceed with actions that make us serious towards our citizens and international institutions.
He also said that next Wednesday at 11.30 a.m. there will be a debate on the issue of femicide which, he noted, is a priority issue.
He also said that the debate in the Commission on the Commercial Court and the Maritime Court was also concluded today and that the constitution will be amended to use English language when both parties request it. He stressed that this is being introduced only in the commercial court and admiralty court and English will not be introduced in other courts and other levels of justice.
On the issue of the commercial court and admiralty court he said that it is a great reform and sends a message to investors that Cyprus is a regional centre for investment. The consolidated bill goes before the committee next Wednesday and the following Thursday it goes to the plenary.
DIKO MP Panicos Leonidou said efforts are being made to regulate the provisions to ensure the principle of transparency and objectivity of persons. It is important, he said, to start the process in an objective manner. He also said that there is common ground on the powers of the Authority and that the discussion specifically on this issue will continue.
Source: CNA
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