The Commissioner for Transparency has proposed transforming the Independent Authority Against Corruption into a legal public entity to enhance its autonomy and allow it to recruit its own personnel. This recommendation is part of a memorandum submitted to the House of Representatives ahead of a parliamentary discussion on the authority’s operational challenges.

The Commissioner, Haris Pogiatzis, emphasized that the current legal framework impedes the authority’s independence. Specifically, the authority lacks the ability to hire its own staff, relying instead on personnel seconded from other government departments. This arrangement undermines its ability to maintain the confidentiality and integrity required for its operations.

Presently, the authority operates with just six staff members: one permanent employee, one seconded financial officer, and four interchangeable staff, including one administrative officer and three secretarial staff. Given its responsibilities, the authority estimates it needs at least 25 personnel to function effectively. Over the past year, attempts to second additional staff from other departments yielded only one approval, highlighting the inefficiency of the current system.

>>Cyprus Anti-Corruption Authority Faces Significant Budget Constraints and Staffing Issues<<

The memorandum argues that transforming the authority into a legal public entity would remove the oversight of government departments it is tasked with monitoring, thereby eliminating conflicts of interest. The Commissioner assured that this change would not increase the authority’s budget but would ensure greater operational independence. The restructured authority would be accountable only to the House of Representatives and the Audit Office.