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Considering that misleading information continues to be given by some regarding the design, specifications and postponement of the construction of the new building of the Legal Service (Tender under the title "Legal Service of the Republic" with no. A/1/2023(E), the Legal Service of the Republic states the following. Hence all correspondence on the relevant matter was between the TDA and the Auditor General's Office, as both are aware that the Legal Service of the Republic is not expected to comment on any matters under discussion.
The TDA responded in writing and in detail to all the comments of the Auditor General in a letter dated 28 September 2023, which was communicated to us.
In particular and as stated verbatim in the above-mentioned letter of An. Director of TPI to the Auditor General, the building program included in the documents of the tender in question "was prepared in accordance with all relevant laws, regulations, standards and circulars, with a view to achieving near-zero energy consumption, with minimal impact and absolute respect for the environment and obtaining all the required approvals prior to the call for tenders." The building project also received approval from the Fire Service and the Police, as the competent agencies/departments for fire and safety issues. It was also approved by the National Safety Authority, the Nicosia Municipality, the Labour Inspectorate and the Department of Land Registry and Surveying.
In relation to the Environmental Impact Assessment Study, the TSI states in this letter that, in all cases where a public sector project is promoted by the Design - Construction - Maintenance method, the Environmental Impact Assessment Study is submitted as an integral part of the bidding process and that in this project, the contractor would prepare the Environmental Impact Assessment Study on the basis of the preliminary designs that would be published.
In addition to the content of the said letter, it is also stressed that the claim that the Attorney General of the Republic personally requested excessive amenities for his office in the new building of the Legal Service of the Republic is both unsubstantiated and untrue because, inter alia, the retirement date of the current Attorney General of the Republic, provided for by the Constitution, is earlier than the date of the expected delivery of the project and therefore, de facto, he could not, in any event, use it personally.
In conclusion and irrespective of the above, we reiterate, on the one hand, the nerve-racking role of the Legal Service of the Republic, which supports the entire public administration on a daily basis by providing services inside and outside the Courts and, on the other hand, the absolute necessity of consolidating all Sections of the Legal Service of the Republic in a modern and functional building, which will serve economies of scale and save resources, both financial and non-financial.
The Legal Service of the Republic respects the need for budgetary savings, which the announcement of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works cites as the reason for the postponement of the construction of the new Legal Service building, but considers that the Government should give priority to the implementation of the construction of the project as soon as possible.
(BL)
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