Official: Atomic Energy Office to become independent of government

The OAH’s reorganisation would create a strong authority free of outside influence, state secretary Tamas Schanda said.

Explaining the reason for the planned change, Schanda said Brussels had often questioned the adequacy of the OAH being under government control, emphasising the need for the office to operate independently.

Under the bill, the OAH, as an independent regulatory body, would obtain an independent legal status and would be overseen by parliament, Schanda said.

The change will give the OAH the highest degree of independence, as warranted by its functions, the state secretary said. It will also have greater organisational, regulatory and budgetary autonomy, “dispelling doubts over the body’s independence once and for all”, he added.