Wednesday, 23 November 2022, 12.00 p.m.
In the Famagusta Room
Friends
Any account is useful on the basis of measurable criteria. A year ago, at this time, we had set specific goals and were facing important milestones for the country's recovery.
It is therefore with great pleasure that we welcome you here, in our historic building, for the presentation of the proceedings of the First Session of the Twelfth Parliamentary Term. After two years of "away" in the Conference Hall due to the pandemic, we returned to the "home" of the House of Representatives this summer, in particular since last July.
I would like to thank all of you, the representatives of the media, on behalf of the members of the House for your contribution to highlighting the parliamentary work, but also for strengthening our efforts for a modernised Parliament open and accessible to citizens, even through the constructive criticism that is often voiced. Moreover, the aim always remains, by listening to the needs of citizens, to consolidate an inclusive and participatory democracy, with transparency and inclusiveness.
Despite the difficulties and adversities that marked the past year: not only covid 19 but also the international geopolitical turbulence and the internal electoral turmoil, the House of Representatives, responding with a spirit of collectivity and responsibility to the challenges of the times, developed a rich and varied activity, both in terms of activities and initiatives and in terms of producing legislative work.
I would therefore like to thank my colleagues, Members of Parliament, for their excellent cooperation, the staff of the Parliament and the parliamentary assistants for their valuable services and support.
The two-volume publication you are holding in your hands has already been posted on the official website of the Parliament.
Legislative Work
During the period under review, the parliamentary committees, as part of their legislative work and the exercise of parliamentary control, held a total of seven hundred and forty-two (742) sessions. Two hundred and thirty-two (232) bills, fifty-one (51) proposed laws were passed into law and ninety-three (93) regulations were approved. Six (6) bills and six (6) proposed laws were passed under the urgency procedure.
The big gamble before us was the passage of the most critical legislative reforms for the country, which had been pending for years. Through consensual processes, with a shared sense of responsibility, we managed as a body to leave behind different political views and bridge divergences, promoting extremely important harmonizing reforms necessary for the disbursement of funds through the Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Reforms:
- Local Government
- Civil Service
- Judicial Reform
- Ø Modernisation of the structure and functioning of the courts with a view to speedy [*]Ø Ø Establishment and operation of a Commercial Court and a Maritime Court
In addition, the Parliament duly proceeded with two revisions of the Constitution. The first is to allow the use of the English language in proceedings before the Commercial Court and the Maritime Court and the second is to reopen the two supreme courts provided for by the Constitution, the Supreme Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court, which are granted additional third-tier jurisdiction.
We have also strengthened the legislative framework to combat corruption and corruption:
- Establishment and operation of an Independent Authority against Corruption [*] Protection of persons reporting violations of EU and national law (whistleblowers) [*] Transparency in public decision-making processes, to prevent the creation of conditions that allow the emergence of corruption (lobbying)
Here I want to make a parenthesis, mentioning as a moment of global importance for Cyprus the hosting last May of the International Forum of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly "Fighting Corruption, Defending Democracy: The Role of National Parliaments".
Regarding again the legislative work, we focused through the promotion of specific legislation on institutions, social policies, the defence of human rights, the achievement of real equality and the fight against all forms of intimidation.
I mention indicatively:
- Establishment of the Deputy Ministry of Culture. [*] Strengthening the rights and protection of victims of crime [*] Protection of maternity and paternity [*] Integration of the gender dimension in the country's law [*] Rational management of municipal waste [*] Improving the operation and efficiency of the Renewable Energy Fund
By establishing femicide as an individual offence, the House of Representatives took a decisive step on the long road to the elimination of gender violence, to the point that Cyprus is considered a model on this issue among the countries of Europe.
I would also like to note that the process of criminalising bullying in all its manifestations, from school bullying and online bullying to bullying in the workplace, is well underway before the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs, with the adoption of special uniform legislation.
European Affairs
The Parliament also promoted harmonising bills and regulations based on European law at this session, but unfortunately the bad practice of not submitting them in time by the executive continued, with the result that its members were not given the necessary time to consider them.
The ultimate goal always remains the upgrading of the role of our parliament as a national parliament of a member state in the European affairs, developing more active participation in the context of the examination of European issues of a legislative and political nature:
- Participating in the working groups of the Conference on the Future of Europe
- Conducting, within the framework of the Conference, an Open Dialogue with Civil Society, as an excellent exercise in participatory democracy
- Strengthening the relationship with our MEPs through the establishment of regular meetings to better coordinate and promote our positions in the European Parliament,
Parliamentary Diplomacy
We have developed significant action by making the most of the opportunities and possibilities offered by parliamentary diplomacy, aiming to engage with our partners to address major international challenges and to consolidate and deepen constructive relations and partnerships, while promoting the interests of the Republic of Cyprus at bilateral, regional, European and international level.
- Jointly taking international initiatives to address the war and its consequences.
- Information on the Cyprus problem and its individual aspects.
- Intensive efforts to highlight the obvious similarity between the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Turkish invasion and continued occupation of Cyprus, and the incompatibility of the two-measures and two-stop policy with European principles and values.
- Exploiting partnerships to address the escalating Turkish threats and challenges that we experience daily both on the ground and in the Cypriot EEZ.
- On the table and all critical issues and challenges: Migration, energy, environmental and humanitarian crisis, propaganda through fake news, gender equality.
From the very first moment we condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine with a unanimous resolution, while coordinating - through the structures of the European family - for the relief of refugees. Among other things, we participated in meetings of Women Presidents of EU Parliaments and in the Crimea Platform Summit.
The House of Representatives was graced with the presence of important personalities such as the Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, the Speaker of the House of Ireland, who addressed special plenary sessions of the House, as well as the Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia and the Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary.
Publications - Events - Conferences
Particularly noteworthy is the House's publishing work, through which the publications stand out:
- "The Cypriot land welcomes the refugees of 1922" bilingual publication on the occasion of the centenary of the Asia Minor Catastrophe, presented at the beginning of November in Kastelliotissa
- "The Institution of the House of Representatives" as a result of an interdisciplinary dialogue,
- "Operation of Parliamentary Committees" manual
- "House of Representatives - Twelfth Parliamentary Session 2021-2026"
- Cyprus File Volume 9
Regarding the conduct of research and studies, at the request of members of the House, analyses, briefing notes or extensive surveys and studies on various issues were prepared by the relevant department.
By translating the public dialogue with civil society into action, the Chamber of Deputies has undertaken initiatives and actions aimed at participation, awakening and cultivating an active citizenship consciousness. Among others, the following took place. [*]Ø 23rd Session of the House of Elders. [*]Ø Seminar on the contribution of Kapodistrias to diplomacy and the international environment at the time of the Greek Revolution. [*]Ø Conferences on the defence of human rights, with emphasis on the right to a healthy environment, on the ethical and legal aspects of euthanasia, on the energy transition, as well as awareness-raising activities on issues concerning people with disabilities.
Also, with the lifting of the anti-coronavirus measures, the Parliament reopened its doors to groups of citizens, pupils and students in order to inform them about its political role, operation and work. This gives us the opportunity to interact and give feedback to the younger generation, through school tours and interactive activities.
Internship
We had the pleasure, during this parliamentary session, to welcome our first students from higher education institutions, as part of the "Internship in the House of Representatives" programme. It is worth noting that this is the first time that the Parliament, in a structured way, offers an internship program for undergraduate students, following the standards of other European Parliaments. Through this experience, young people become familiar with the parliamentary process and democratic institutions, broadening their knowledge and strengthening their skills in relation to the prospects on the labour market. The programme, which lasted two months, involved 24 students, who were placed in various services of the Parliament according to their specialised field of knowledge and interests.
Digital upgrading and communication of the work of the Chamber of Deputies
The way to modernise and open up the Parliament to citizens is undoubtedly through digital transformation, which is why a concerted effort is being made in this direction.
- The new upgraded website of the Chamber of Deputies was recently launched. With the appropriate classification of material and the addition of more access and communication tools for citizens, it is now more accessible and easier to use. New chapters of material have been added, such as press releases, and more will be added soon, such as laws passed (bills and legislative proposals).
- With regard to the press releases, in order to promote parliamentary work by making citizens aware of it, we have adopted the practice of issuing them daily and posting them on the website after the completion of the work of the parliamentary committees, so that citizens are aware of what is being discussed at all times.
- At the same time, the official accounts of the Parliament on Facebook Twitter and Instagram were set up.
- State-of-the-art equipment was installed in the plenary hall for the live broadcast of the meetings of the House, independently by the competent service of the Parliament, as well as for the holding of videoconferences through an existing videoconferencing system.
- In the discussion plans is also the equipment of the "Kyrenia" room with a videoconferencing system, in the framework of the initiative of the respective services of the parliaments of the EU Member States' parliaments for a common platform, in order to provide the possibility of simultaneous translation of 24 languages and the participation of a large number of people in the same room.
Library of the Parliament
After close cooperation and useful suggestions from the Cyprus Union of Librarians and Information Scientists, with the aim of upgrading and making better use of its valuable collection, the Library of the Parliament was moved from the main building to the House of Citizens. The digitization of all the old rare publications was also completed, while the necessary arrangements and infrastructures were completed, so that Members of Parliament, parliamentary assistants, the staff of the Parliament and every external scholar and researcher can have access to the valuable material via a local network.
Foundation for Parliamentarism and Participatory Democracy
We have already proceeded with the establishment and registration of the "Foundation for Parliamentarism and Participatory Democracy", for which a provision has been made in the financial budget of the House for the financial year 2022. The aim of the Foundation is to promote the principles of parliamentarianism, to deepen relations between the Parliament and civil society and to foster participatory democracy.
By improving and amending the legislative framework of the Parliament, we seek to establish an institutional framework that ensures transparency and accountability. The gaps that make it incomplete and ineffective are being identified and the debate in the Parliamentary Committee on Institutions is well advanced. A response from the Ministry of State for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy is also expected by the end of the year on the commitment it has made to create a registry interconnection system.
Parliamentary Rules
In relation to the proper functioning of parliamentary committees, meetings have been held with the chairs of the committees to ensure that procedures are followed, as stipulated by the Parliamentary Rules. We have also addressed the Ministries in order to limit the number of technocrats attending the committees to those responsible, so that productive information and discussion can take place in the context of conducting fruitful parliamentary work.
With a view to modernisation
- Service Resource Management System
The Parliament, in the context of financial reform, is involved in preparing for integration into the ERP system, which will provide comprehensive financial information, in relation to the functions of accounting, payroll and pensions, preparation and implementation of the annual budget on an activity-based basis, as well as human resources management.
- Common Assessment Framework
In order to identify strengths and areas for improvement, the Parliament participates in the CPA in cooperation with the Cyprus Academy of Public Administration. This is a management tool based on the Excellence Standards of the European Foundation for Quality Management and the German University of Management Sciences "Speyer". The project aims to improve the efficiency of the Parliament's services, provides for the active involvement of staff and focuses on leadership, strategy, planning, partnerships and resource management.
- Parliamentary Budget Office
It will have an advisory role and will provide scientific and technical support to the President of the Parliament, all parliamentary committees, deputies and the staff of the Parliament in relation to the adoption of the state budget and monitoring of its implementation, always in line with the individual strategic plans. Among other things, it will undertake the costing of policies, as well as the analysis of the budgets of legal entities under public law.
Immediate priorities
- We have before us the adoption of the State Budget, which constitutes the supreme legislative act. It has been set to be debated in the plenary session on December 6, 7 and 8.
I note that we are on the verge of the fifth day and unfortunately we are still pushing for the submission of budgets by semi-governmental organizations.
- I also note that we have already submitted a bill to further strengthen the framework of the financial autonomy of the House of Representatives.
- By passing the landmark reform legislation for the Recovery and Resilience Plan, the House has succeeded in completing the prerequisites of the first application. We are now moving on to the next stage of implementing targets. In relation to the second application, the Strategic Investment Facilitation Bill is pending, which is being considered article by article in the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs.
- Another major reform is under consideration in the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs, that of Family Law.
- Legislation to combat bullying in all its forms.
- Close monitoring of the processes and discussions in the EU for economic and social transformation in order to fulfil the climate framework (Fit-For-55) for green transition and review of legislation where necessary, based on the recognition of the specificities secured by Cyprus as an island state.
- Establishment of an Internal Audit Unit for the purpose of monitoring the effectiveness of the objectives and procedures of the House.
- Strengthening the presence of the Parliament in international and regional organizations.
- Open dialogue with the Auditor General in order to make the Parliament as an organisation a model of operation and good administration.
- Maintaining and building relations of trust and good cooperation between the Parliament and all state institutions.
- Further deepen the relationship of the Parliament with civil society by organizing events and developing actions and initiatives.
- Operation of the Foundation for Parliamentarism and Participatory Democracy along the lines of the Greek Foundation, aiming at interaction with citizens.
- Strengthen the development of an independent Press Office to monitor legislative work and parliamentary scrutiny for the purpose of properly reflecting the overall work of the Parliament.
- Completion of work on the partial upgrading of the Parliament's premises in order to meet - as far as possible - the modern needs of the Parliament.
- We are also completing our cooperation with the State Gallery and soon we will be able to present you the new works of art hosted in the House of Representatives, always aiming through aesthetic and cultural upgrading, the promotion of the work of such remarkable creators of our country.
In conclusion, I would like to point out that making the House of Representatives a model of operation is not a static goal, but a continuous effort of self-improvement, which does not fit into narrow timeframes.
Therefore, we continue to respond to the demands and expectations of citizens, winning their trust step by step and regaining our credibility, as a body collectively and individually, while protecting the institution we serve, protecting democracy itself.
We are judged every day, we make our assumptions and where we identify gaps and dysfunctions we try to provide solutions.
We are judged every day, we make our assumptions and where we identify gaps and dysfunctions we try to provide solutions. We need to constantly step forward, opening up new perspectives.
Thank you
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(Text as sent from the House of Representatives)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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