Activities of Lucas HARTONG related to 2012/2006(BUD)
Plenary speeches (1)
Estimates of revenue and expenditure for 2013 - Section I - Parliament (debate)
Amendments (9)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas, in a context of a heavy burden of public debt and of restraint in times of ongoing national budgetary consolidation efforts, the Parliament is not yet particularly showsing budgetary responsibility and self-restraint,; noting the letter dated 23 January 2012 from Commissioner Lewandowski to the Presidents of the European Institutions; noting the letter of 21 February 2012 from the Dutch, Swedish and British finance ministers to the President of Parliament;
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. WelcomesNotes the efforts made to present realistic estimates and acknowledges the fact that the Bureau adopted savings as compared to the original level suggested in the Secretary- General's report; notes that the Bureau adopted the preliminary draft estimates for the 2013 budget at its meeting on 12 March 2012, at the rate of increase of xx % over the 2012 budget; further notes that, pursuant to the agreement reached by the Bureau and the Committee on Budgets at the conciliation meeting of 13 March 2012, this rate is currently set at xx % over the 2012 budget;
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Urges the administration to present an independent evaluation of Parliament's budgetthe budgets of Parliament, the Commission and the agencies with the aim of identifying savings throughout and present this evaluation to the Committee on Budgets, as well as to the Committee on Budgetary Control, by September 2012 at the latest; to this end, reminds the Secretary-General and the Bureau of its request for the establishment of a working group as soon as possible; considers that such group should discuss inter alia the findings of the requested report concerning Members' travels, due to be completed by 31st March 2012, the results of a comparative study with the budgets of a representative sample of Member States parliaments and with the budget of the United States Congress and the financing of the building policy; recalls that conclusions reached by the group should be implemented without delay;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Requests a report on savings achieved, and cost overruns, during the implementation of the 2012 budget, in line with the calls for savings expressed in its position of 26 October 2011 on the 2012 draft budget as modified by Council - all sections; expects such a report to be communicated to the Committee on Budgets by no later than 31st August 2013;
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Highlights its willingness to contribute actively to maintain budgetary discipline by freezing all budget lines relating to travel and not indexing any of the Members' individual allowances until the end of the legislature; presses again for a single venue for plenary sessions in order also to reduce travel expenses substantially;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Is of the opinion that further reorganisation of the Parliament working methods should be considered; calls on the Secretary-General to implement a possible revision of the calendar for committee meetings and delegation missions; furthermore, calls on the Secretary-General to examine possible further opportunities for savings regarding delegations; if such changes can be implemented in 2012, requests that the administration provides the Committee on Budgets with a record of savings generated, and details of any cost overruns, in 2012 in these areas;
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Welcomes the revision of the estimated running costs of the House of the European History; takes note that the 2013 budget will see a substantial increase in its funding given the fact that its opening is foreseen for 2014; is concerned about the estimated development costs and requests, therefore, strict adherence to the minimum costs and not to exceed the figures set out in the estimates; believes that the Parliament should look for sources of possible financing other than its own budget; furthermore, referring to the letter from the President of the European Commission of 28 September 2011, expects that a concrete agreement on co-financing the running costs will be signed by no later than August 2013; would very much prefer to scrap the entire project, since Europe’s citizens can in no way exercise democratic influence over decision-taking and, moreover, there is overlapping between Parliament and the House of European History and any semblance of conflict of interest must be avoided;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that the preliminary draft estimates request a 22 % increase compared to 2012 for the implementation of an "enhanced maintenance policy"; requests more detail from the Secretary- General with regard to this policy and how the proposed appropriations will be used; understands the need for certain buildings to be renovated; however calls for more detailed information on the timing and costs of the renovation policy, and, at least until that time, withholds approval of any increase whatever;