MPs speak out against fine-dodging colleagues

MEMBERS of Parliament should set an example and pay their traffic fines, deputies said yesterday.

The deputies, among them House Legal Affairs Committee chairman Ionas Nicolaou, were commenting on an article in Phileleftheros yesterday, which claimed only one in three deputies caught on the island’s speed cameras paid the penalties. The remaining 60 per cent escaped the fine citing their immunity as outlined in the Constitution.

But EDEK leader Yiannakis Omirou said that although the Constitution allowed deputies immunity, that should not mean unaccountability, adding that MPs had to set the right example and act as role models of law abiding citizens.

Nicolaou said deputies’ immunity should not be taken as a privilege, but as a tool to protect them while carrying out their duties.

House Communication Committee chairman Zacharias Koulias said deputies that voted the laws had to serve as an example and should pay their fines, noting that the majority of deputies did.

He admitted that he already had six points on his driving licence from traffic camera offences, pointing out it was an effective tool and that in France accidents had been reduced by 30 per cent since their introduction.

Rikkos Erotokritou, chairman of the House Institutions Committee, said the kind of accusations made in Phileleftheros should backed up with “proof and names” so as not to tarnish the entire legislative body over a charge that may or may not have merit.

He said it was unacceptable for a public figure not to pay fines when ordinary citizens were expected to do so.

Meanwhile House Labour Committee chairman Pambis Kyritsis said as a matter of principle all deputies should try “not to commit traffic violations so as to set a good example” but that when they did and were fined for it, then “I think we should pay”.