Tomas: Fast-track Procedure on Bill on New Office Needs to Be Explained

(JOJ 24,'Politika 24', 23 November ) There's need to explain the reason for using fast-track legislative proceeding in case of the bill on the establishment of the new Crime Victim and Whistleblower Protection Office, Labour Minister Erik Tomas (Smer-SD) stated on JOJ 24's discussion programme 'Politika 24' (Politics 24) on Sunday, calling on Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) and Justice Minister Boris Susko (Smer-SD) to do so. "I've seen the Prosecutor-General's (PG) statement, according to which he doesn't challenge the bill or the establishment of the new office itself, but he minds, or better say, he doesn't see the reasons for the fast-track legislative procedure," said Tomas, adding that the setting up of the new office is a joint initiative of the interior and justice ministers. "The fast-track legislative proceedings simply need to be explained," he said. At the same time, he reiterated that the new office will continue to fulfil its current role, it will protect. However, the rules had to be set anew, said Tomas, who assumes that they will be made clear during the further legislative procedure. Tomas also spoke about the Office of the Vice-premier for the Recovery Plan and Knowledge-based Economy, not ruling out that this vice-premier post might be "dissolved". He said that the recovery plan will end by the end of next year and its agenda might be take over by other ministries. Concerning Peter Kmec's (Voice-SD) dismissal from the vice-premier post, Tomas criticised Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) for deciding to dismiss him even though he knew he was going to resign. He views it as incorrect, and the coalition agreement being violated in this way. "If we are to trust each other within the coalition, we need to adhere to the coalition agreement," stressed Tomas. Concerning the infringement launched by the European Commission against Slovakia in connection with an amendment to the Constitution, Tomas noted that such a procedure has been launched against Slovakia some 63-times so far. Asked whether he agrees with the statement by Defence Ministry's State Secretary Igor Melicher that Ukraine should be under the Russian influence, Tomas said that he doesn't. ko