According to a union representative of Forestry Department employees, the government’s decision has unsettled staff. MPs referred to a hasty decision and an “emblematic idea,” while the government was criticized for failing to consult in advance with the heads of the affected services.
The Cabinet’s decision to transfer all activities and staff of the Forestry Department involved in forest protection, effectively splitting the department, from the Ministry of Agriculture to the Ministry of Interior, as part of the creation of a National Civil Protection Mechanism, has become a “red rag” for the forestry sector.
Parliament became the arena for strong reactions on Thursday, during the third and final joint session of the Committees on Interior, Agriculture, and Environment on the major Limassol wildfire, held a day after the government announcement. The reactions of the Department’s leadership and staff were strongly supported by MPs from opposition parties DISY and AKEL, who spoke of a hasty decision and an “emblematic idea,” given that a vast and complex legislative overhaul would be required to transfer the services.
The Director-General of the Ministry of Interior, Elikkos Elias, was cast as both the recipient of concerns and the “messenger” of reactions to the government, assuring that he and the other two Directors-General present (Agriculture and Justice) would convey the message of Forestry Department Director Savvas Iezekiel to the ministers. At the same time, he expressed the Ministry’s willingness to prepare for the establishment of the new directorate.
Opposing the split
Iezekiel openly voiced his strong concern about transferring part of the Forestry Department to the Ministry of Interior. He stressed that the Department is unified and indivisible, like forestry science itself, and therefore applies holistic forest management. He warned that no one can predict the consequences if any part of the Forestry Department is removed.
“The entire staff of the Forestry Department, from the Director to the last worker, participate in the fire protection system. No one is surplus. We expect to be informed, to cooperate with our superiors, to listen to them, but also for them to listen to our concerns and fears,” he said.
He clarified, however, that they have no objection to being housed under the same umbrella with other firefighting services if, after government briefing in the coming days, it proves to be in the country’s best interest. But he emphasized that under no circumstances should the Forestry Department be divided. “If the Forestry Department is divided, forest management stops, communication with communities stops, communication among forest officers stops. The experience and knowledge that has been passed down for 146 years, from generation to generation, to achieve today’s results in tackling forest fires will be lost,” he concluded.
Staff unsettled
Earlier, Antonis Sarris, the union representative for Forestry Department staff (PASYDY), warned that the government’s plan to split the department has deeply unsettled employees. He cautioned that Cyprus risks repeating Greece’s tragic experience, where a similar move ended in disaster. The separation, he argued, lacks any scientific basis and raises serious concerns that Cyprus is copying failed models from abroad.
According to him, staff feel the move undermines the Forestry Department’s role and disrupts the coordinated, scientific, and specialized management of Cyprus’ forests to date.
Fire Service Shows Greater Flexibility
By contrast, Fire Service Chief Officer Nikos Longinos struck a milder tone regarding the transfer of the Fire Service from the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Interior, likely because unlike the Forestry Department, the Fire Service will be transferred intact.
“As the Fire Service, we will give our best, whether we go to another ministry or remain where we are, or whether any other changes are needed for the good of the country. We will always be at the disposal of the state to continue serving our fellow citizens, saving lives and property,” he said.
“We Learned About It from the Media”
A crucial question raised by MPs to both heads was whether they had been informed in advance by the government about the changes and whether there had been prior consultation. Both admitted they learned of the developments from the media, like the rest of Cyprus.
“I had been told in general terms by the Justice Minister that something might change in fire suppression operations,” said Mr. Longinos, referring to vague information received earlier. “Yesterday we heard the announcement of several changes and now await a briefing in the coming days,” he added.
Mr. Iezekiel said he was informed only on Tuesday afternoon. “I do not know details of the planning or the basis of the study for this decision. The only study I am aware of, which I referred to in Parliament, was prepared by an expert on rural fires. None of the proposals announced yesterday were included in that study, such as service transfers,” he noted.
Opposition MPs
Opposition MPs expressed doubts about the feasibility of the government’s plan and openly criticized the decision.
“Can it work? We have our reservations,” said DISY MP Nikos Sykas.
“We fear the decision was made hastily. We are creating a new structure while fragmenting the Forestry Department? But the Ambulance Service is absent, even though it must be included. I am not sure if this structure with a National Coordinator is the best option,” said AKEL MP Giorgos Loukaidis.
“Is it possible that those involved learn about this from television?” asked MP Alexandra Attalidou, noting that in the last meeting with Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou on legislative planning, he had not mentioned what she described as a “root-and-branch dismantling of legislation” to create a super-ministry.
Chairman of the Interior Committee and AKEL MP Aristos Damianou said: “This is clearly an emblematic idea of the President of the Republic. That is absolutely respected, but in my view, what is emblematic is what is historically recorded. And for it to be emblematic, it must be collective. And for it to be collective, we must ask the people who are on the ground fighting the battles. And I know that did not happen.”
Before closing the session, he told the Interior Ministry’s Director-General: “If you make the political decisions and bring them to Parliament, we will fight our own battle here to ensure the best for fire protection.”