MIRRI Objects to Disclosure of UHP's Internal Document on IT Projects

Bratislava, 16 January (TASR) - The Investment, Regional Development and Informatisation Ministry (MIRRI) strongly objects to the unauthorised publication and dissemination of an internal document of the Finance Ministry's Value for Money (UHP) department, which contained preliminary evaluation of projects involving IT systems for the slovensko.sk web portal, TASR has learnt from the MIRRI's communication department. According to MIRRI, some facts stated in the document are protected as restricted information under the Act on the Protection of Classified Information. "The ministry is obliged to comply with the law and will file a criminal complaint based on a suspected violation of the law in connection with the publication of this document," stated MIRRI, adding that restricted information is subject to strict rules and legal obligations, which the ministry will consistently defend. "We consider such conduct to be an intentional attempt at creating a negative perception of steps aimed at averting the collapse of the public administration central website (UPVS)," stated MIRRI. The ministry considers it exceptionally irresponsible that UHP allowed the publication of a document which not only contained restricted information, but was prepared just three days after receiving a key opinion from an expert assessment organisation about the state of the UPVS, with two of those three days being weekend days. "Such conduct doesn't indicate an effort to objectively assess the project, unless this proves to be a leak of a working version of the document," stated MIRRI, adding that more information will be provided after a meeting of the Slovak Security Council. jrg