32 Amendments of Isabel GARCÍA MUÑOZ related to 2023/2130(DEC)
Amendment 1 #
Proposal for a decision 1
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas trust in Parliament’s integrity and the rule of law is paramount for the functioning of European democracy; whereas citizens’ rights are fully respected;
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Notes that the 2022 follow-up process resulted in the closure of 38 of the 92 open actions and for which the agreed due dates for implementation had expired; is concerned by the fact that as of 31 December 2022, 29 open actions were overdue for more than 12 months; expects the different directorates-general to ensure that the remaining actions are closed without any further delay and that the agreed actions are implemented in accordance with the due dates set in the internal auditor’s annual report;
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Recalls that pursuant to Rule 25 of and Annex V to the Rules of Procedure and Articles 6 and 262 of the Financial Regulation, once the Plenary calls for different rules or measures to be implemented by Parliament, the rules or measures proposed arshall be discussed and voted on by the Bureau; recalls, in light of Rule 25 of the Rules of Procedure, that the Bureau is responsible for taking decisions on financial, organisational and administrative matters concerning Members; recalls that the Bureau is composed of the President of the European Parliament, the 14 Vice-Presidents and the five Quaestors (non-voting members) democratically elected by Parliament; notes, that the members of the Bureau deliberate on Parliament’s draft estimates; recalls that the discharge is an exercise of democratic scrutiny and that the concrete demands adopted by Plenary in discharge resolutions shall be reflected in the discussions of the Bureau;
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Stresses that transparency, accountability, and integrity are essential ethics principles within the Union institutions and particularly Parliament as the house of European democracy; notes that Parliament reconfirms trust in the Union’s decision-making process by improving transparency, ethics and good conduct in the most representative European institution through its actions;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Notes that 2022 was the first year of the full implementation of the mandatory transparency register under the revised IIA adopted in 20212 and that the register is a key tool for promoting transparent and ethical interest representation at Union level becauseas long as registration is respected as a precondition for interest representatives to be able to carry out certain activities with the Union institutions, including Parliament; calls for the provision of all necessary resources to ensure that the internal rules related to the Transparency Register are effectively enforced, including, where appropriate, the imposition of adequate sanctions; _________________ 2 Interinstitutional Agreement of 20 May 2021 between the European Parliament, the Council of the EuropeanUnion and the European Commission on a mandatory transparency register, OJ L 207, 11.6.2021, p. 1.
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Welcomes the increased use of the transparency register as an information and reference tool for interest representation activities at Union level; notes the continuous improvement in the quality of information on the public database resulting from eligibility and data quality checks of new applicants; welcomes the regular communication, helpdesk and awareness-raising activities undertaken by the Secretariat among stakeholders both within the institutions and outside, as well as the development of IT solutions to improve the transparency register; recommends that IT solutions are used to integrate the Transparency Register in all Parliament’s activities involving external entities to allow to record and track their participation through the relevant databases;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Calls, as a consequence of the events at the end of 2022, for the establishment of robust standards on transparency and access to EU institutions for entities listed in the transparency register, including NGOs; recalls that NGOs were allegedly used as vectors of foreign interference in European Parliamentarism; reiterates, in this context, the need for comprehensiv's decision-making processes; regrets that the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) organised a two-day conference financial pre-screening of entities before June 2022 together with those organisations, despite the fact they awere lnot registered in the tTransparency rRegister;
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Stresses the need for a thorough pre-check as part of registration in the transparency register to disclose all funding sources; notes that funding from Union funds must be traceable from the direct recipient to the final beneficiary when funds are passed on in a chain; calls for a revision of the guidelines for registration in the transparency register to disclose all incoming and outgoing funds, including the transfer of funds from one NGO and stakeholder to another; underlines that NGONotes that funding from Union funds must be traceable from the direct recipient to the final beneficiary; underlines that all registrants receiving money from third parties, whose registration in the transparency register is not required, need to disclose the source of their funding by specifying the same information as all regular registrants;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35a. Recalls the changes in Parliament’s Rules of Procedure on 20 December 2020 allowing for remote voting and the fact that voting remotely in committee is currently not allowed unless the President establishes the existence of extraordinary circumstances; reiterates its request to the Bureau, adopted at Plenary level on several occasions, to enable Members to exercise their right to vote remotely while benefiting from maternity or paternity leave, during a long term illness or in cases of force majeure, thus capitalising on the great administrative effort and financial investment that Parliament has made in technical solutions to allow remote voting;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 b (new)
Paragraph 35 b (new)
35b. Notes that the average number of MEPs signing the attendance register on Friday of the plenary weeks in Strasbourg during 2022 was 71; points out that many Members work in their offices and hold meetings in Brussels on Fridays of plenary weeks and requests that the attendance register be enabled to record their presence in both places of work;
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Recalls that OLAF has the mandate to investigate suspicions of serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU institutions, including possible breaches of the Code of Conduct of Parliament’s Members; notes that Parliament has systematically rejected OLAF’s requests to conduct inspections of MEPs’ offices and access their electronic servers and devices, which is a legal prerogative only used when it is strictly needed and proportionate for the investigation and fully respecting confidentiality; calls Parliament’s administration to not put any obstacles in the way of implementation of Parliament’s Decision of 18 November 1999 governing relations with OLAF during internal investigations;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Notes that, on 10 March 2022, the President issued a revised decision on ‘Security measures to limit the spread of COVID-19’ which meant physical presence for several activities was restored, including re-admitting visitor groups; notes the decision to increase the paid financial contributions for travel, accommodation, meals and minor local expenses by 10 % for the sponsored visitor groups in 2022; notes the decision by the Bureau to reduce the annual quota of sponsored visitors per member from 110 to 100 and from 55 to 50 for election years; highlights that the decision to carry over the unused quota from 2020 to 2022, 2023 and 2024 remained unchanged; reiterates that the financial responsibility of the sponsored visitors’ groups shall be taken up only for a member of the group or a professional, such as paying agents or travel agencies, and repeats its request to the Bureau to eliminate APAs from the list of permitted heads of groups;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
Paragraph 47
47. Welcomes the actions taken on the fight against disinformation and information manipulation and calls to reinforce these actions in light of the upcoming European elections; highlights that one of the most powerful tools against disinformation is positive, factual communication about Parliament’s work;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
Paragraph 53
53. Acknowledges that several Directorates-General have expressed their concerns about attracting talent and specialised profiles that are essential to carry out Parliament’s core business; notes that only services that are essential may be considered for a potential internalisation exercise; highlights that some services are carried out by external service providers due to their specific nature which does not meet the conditions for internalisation; is therefore of the opinion that the services not meeting these conditions should not be considered for internalisation by the governing bodies and thus, is of the opinion that Parliament's governing bodies should consider the internalisation of essential services such as catering and cleaning, as Parliament has previously done with security and IT services, as well as with the CPE2 crèche in Luxembourg; calls on the Secretary-General to carry out a feasibility study on the internalisation of catering and cleaning services in order to have a reasonable cost-benefit analysis and to report back to the Committee on Budgetary Control on the outcome;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55
Paragraph 55
55. Acknowledges that the work of APAs is an integral part of the work of Members and therefore of Parliament; notes that following the adoption of the APA statute in 2009, their status over the years has been recognised; notes the efforts made by Parliament to create a framework for providing support to APAs; calls for due adherence to the rules in place; notes, that since then, APAs participate in official missions to Parliament’s three places of work; reiterates its long-standing request to allow APAs, under certain conditions yet to be determined, to accompany Members on official Parliament delegations and missions outside of the three places of work, as reiterated by Plenary in several discharge resolutions; urges the Bureau and the Conference of Presidents to respond positively to this demand;
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55 a (new)
Paragraph 55 a (new)
55a. Notes that APAs, regardless of their experience and qualifications, are excluded from participating in Parliament’s internal competitions as well as in Schuman Recruitment and Development Programme; encourages the Bureau to avoid the loss of this knowledge and experience by providing APAs with similar career opportunities within Parliament on a fair basis and with appropriate criteria;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57 a (new)
Paragraph 57 a (new)
57a. Recalls its concerns about some of the measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic having modified working conditions in specific services and calls for a proactive monitoring and evaluation of the new ways of working so the well- being and satisfaction of the staff are not negatively impact; highlights in this context the importance of the social dialogue with staff representatives;
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58 a (new)
Paragraph 58 a (new)
58a. Recalls Parliament’s recommendation to the Commission in its resolution of 18 April 2018 “to review its administrative procedure for the appointment of senior officials with the objective of fully ensuring that the best candidates are selected within a framework of maximum transparency and equal opportunities, thereby also setting an example for the other European institutions”; is of the opinion that Parliament, regarding appointment procedures, should always meet the highest standards in terms of transparency, accountability and good administration; calls therefore on the Bureau to include the appointment to the post of secretary-general in its decision of 16 May 2022 laying down the steps in the procedure for appointing senior officials;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67 a (new)
Paragraph 67 a (new)
67a. Recalls the Bureau decision of 23 October 2019 to approve the creation of an IDEA Lab with the aim of testing new, innovative solutions in the context of offices and facility management; points out that the IDEA Lab is supposed to be at the disposal of Members and thus, points out that Members have not been properly and proactively informed about the innovations to be tested nor their costs; notes the high annual maintenance cost of IT solutions that are not being implemented in Parliament; calls on the Bureau working group on buildings and Parliament’s administration to ensure greater transparency regarding the functioning and budget for the IDEA Lab and to regularly present to the Committee on Budgetary Control the list of innovative solutions, their cost and the feedback produced, as well as the potential saving if implemented;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70
Paragraph 70
70. Takes note of the measures implemented in order to lower Parliament’s energy consumption, such as reducing maximum heating temperatures in office areas and increasing minimum cooling temperatures, switching off the heating and cooling systems during the weekend and public holidays, reducing the lighting of building facades and decreasing indoor lighting levels; acknowledges that the measures are to be reassessed as the energy crisis evolves; and to take into account the feedback of the staff on how those measures impact its satisfaction and wellbeing;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72 a (new)
Paragraph 72 a (new)
72a. Is concerned that the tribune in the visitors’ area of the hemicycle in the SPAAK building is not accessible to people with reduced mobility; recalls that every European citizen should have equal access when visiting the EU institutions; recalls that the Union has been at the forefront of promoting inclusivity and equality for all its citizens; calls for an analysis of the needs of visitors with disabilities and for the appropriate measures to be implemented;
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 a (new)
Paragraph 73 a (new)
73a. Notes that in 2022, after the COVID-related capacity restrictions were lifted, the offer of seats in the service fleet going on Mondays from Brussels to Strasbourg was 250 places and that per part-session week in 2022, on average 162 seats or 65% of seats available in the fleet were occupied; reiterates its call on Parliament’s administration to widen the use of seats while making sure that Members’ seats are secured to avoid wastage of resources;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 b (new)
Paragraph 73 b (new)
73b. Is concerned that the Osmose building in Strasbourg will not be able to accommodate meeting rooms, as was the initial reason for renting it and that this will not be solved even if part of the administration is moved to that building; is concerned about the hidden costs of the Osmose project, i.e. leasing, cleaning and security that would amount to EUR 189 981 000 for the stipulated leasing period of 99 years, in addition to EUR 10.3 million for furnishing, security and IT equipment and the still undetermined cost for connecting the Osmose building to Parliament premises; believes that the Legal Service shall confirm whether Parliament can take on a leasing from the French authorities on a building they don’t own;
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 84
Paragraph 84
84. Takes nNotes that interpreter representatives contested the working conditions applicable to interpreting for remote participantParliament’s interpreters held a strike from June to October 2022 with the aim of improving the working conditions applicable to interpreting for remote participants, due to the impact on the health and well-being of interpreters that resulted from remote interpretation for long periods of time, in particular the reported hearing problems; highlights that the resulting industrial action in the summer and autumn of 2022 led to interpreting stoppages in specific situations, affecting remote speakers that had insufficient sound quality to avoid health risk for the interpreters; regrets the use of external interpreting services during this strike as this decision jeopardised Parliament’s quality standard for interpretation, damaged its image and obstructed workers' right to strike; remarks that interim Interpreter Working Arrangements for meetings with remote participation entered into force on 17 October 2022 as a result of social dialogue between trade unions, interpreters’ representatives and Parliament’s administration; notes that they allowed for restoration of interpretation for remote speakers while maintaining the reduced weekly working hours for interpreters, thus resulting in a reduction of the service provision by interpreter; notes that social dialogue aiming to establish a permanent framework and full restoration of interpretation services was ongoing at the end of 2022 and was concluded in 2023;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 84 a (new)
Paragraph 84 a (new)
84a. Stresses that, under Rules of Procedure of the Parliament, Members have the right to speak in the official language of their choice, which reflects European cultural and linguistic diversity and also makes the Union institutions more accessible and transparent to all Union citizens; welcomes the exceptional work done by interpreters in 2022, ensuring, as far as possible, that public debates are interpreted in all official EU languages;
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 85 a (new)
Paragraph 85 a (new)
85a. Appreciates the need for interpreters for the Head of Delegation to participate in official missions to third countries;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 94 a (new)
Paragraph 94 a (new)
94a. Is concerned that in 2022, five cases of suspected fraud were found where allegedly Members claimed specific means of transport while in fact using a cheaper one; notes that two recovery orders totalling EUR 39 807 are expected to be issued and that the other cases are currently under further investigation, these covering several budgetary years, and could amount to EUR 801 000;
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 111
Paragraph 111
111. Welcomes Parliament’s zero tolerance policy on harassment and the awareness-raising campaigns carried out; stresses that the Code of Appropriate Behaviour for Members of the European Parliament seeks to ensure that Members behave towards everyone working in Parliament with dignity, courtesy and respect and without prejudice or discrimination; recalls that in 2022, 56 MEPs participated in the training session; notes that, since November 2018, when the first sessions were offered, a total of 324 current MEPs had participated in the training session, plus 56 former Members whose mandate has ended; notes that in 2022, 106 members of staff and APAs had participated in anti-harassment training courses; notes with concern that cases of harassment are still occurring regardless of the activities being carried out to eliminate harassment in the work place; recalls that Parliament has requested on several occasions the implementation of mandatory anti-harassment training courses for all Members, as well as staff, including persons in managerial roles in the different Directorates-General and political groups;
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 113
Paragraph 113
113. Highlights that the Advisory Committee dealing with harassment complaints concerning Members has a mandate to examine allegations of psychological or sexual harassment against Members from all categories of staff, including APAs, trainees, seconded national experts and political group staff; notes that with the aim of further reinforcing Parliament’s anti-harassment policies, on 20 November 2023, the Bureau adopted a number of additional amendments to the rules on the functioning of the advisory committee dealing with harassment complaints concerning Members; remains concerned by the lack of independent experts on harassment issues in this committee and in the advisory committee on harassment and its prevention at the workplace; reiterates thus its calls on the Bureau to review the composition of both committees in order to include the pertinent independent expertise;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 114 a (new)
Paragraph 114 a (new)
114a. Considers that harassment of the parliamentary assistant by other parliamentary assistants or Parliament officials should also be taken into account;
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 117
Paragraph 117
117. Welcomes the decisions taken by the Bureau; recalls that the problem will still need to be addressed in the future as the measures adopted are expected to extend the lifespan of the VPF only by two or three years and asks the Administration and the Bureau to guarantee that no taxpayer money is used for any future bail-out; notes that legal assessment of the latest judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union and their consequences for future Bureau decisions were also made available to the Members of the Bureau in order to allow them to take an informed decision; notes that there are ongoing appeals in the Court of Justice of the European Union and the matter will need to be addressed again after the judgments are handed down;
Amendment 183 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 117 a (new)
Paragraph 117 a (new)
117a. Acknowledges that Parliament is not involved in the management of the VPF’s investment portfolio but expresses its concern regarding press reports on the investments made by the Fund in controversial sectors and the potential reputational risk for the institution;