ΝΙCOSIA – It was four years in the making – during which time a program selling residency permits and passports had to be ended for not checking for criminal activity – but Cyprus is moving to set up an anti-corruption body.

A bill establishing the authority was sent to the Parliament after secret talks from which the public was barred, members of the Legal Affairs Committee sending a list of names for the body going to a council of ministers.

“We are presenting before the plenary session of parliament a real, first and foremost, independent authority against corruption, an authority that no one can dispute,” said Chairman Nicos Tornaritis, The Cyprus Mail reported.

The authority will be able to refer possible disciplinary offenses and can make a report to the Attorney-General but there isn’t unananimous support in the Parliament, the report added.

Tornaritis said he had contacted the Supreme Court President to name the former former president as the agency leader, replacing an Ombudswoman he doesn’t want but that will be up to the court to decide.

Some lawmakers said requiring the Parliament to be consulted before names are submitted to the president for appointment could be ruled unconstitutional.