8 Amendments of Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU related to 2020/2144(DEC)
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. States that the geographical proximity of France, Belgium and Germany to Luxembourg may be a reason why these three nationalities are generally overrepresented among the staff at the Court; notes, however, the Court’s firm position that wUrges the Court to strive for further improvements in the context of geographical balance of staff (specifically for AST functions groups 1-4 and 5-9 there is a significant overrepresentation of certain nationalities); calls on the Court to prepare an action plan for then recruitingment of new staff members the Court acts solely in the interest of the service and without regard to nationality, as stipulated in Article 7 of the Staff Regulations;
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Welcomes the administrative arrangement signed in 2019 providing a structured framework between the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the Court in order to provide a structured framework for co-operation between OLAF and the Court, and toand facilitate theiring a timely exchange of information under Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/20136 and the Court’s decisions related to internal investigations; notes that this arrangement also contains provisions on non-operational issues such as the organisation of training sessions, workshops and exchange of staff; notes that in 2019, the Court reported ten cases of suspected fraud compared to nine cases in 2018 (eight identified in the course of audit work and two denunciations made by third parties); _________________ 6 Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 September 2013 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 (EUT L 248 af 18.9.2013, s. 1).
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Recognises that the Court applies a set of key performance indicators to monitor progress made, such as for example measuring the implementation rate of the Court’s recommendations; notes; notes with appreciation that the Court’s analysis showed that 96 % of the recommendations made in the 2015 annual report and 94 % of the recommendations made in the 2015 special reports have been implemented in full, mostly or in some respects; notes that the Court issued six annual reports, three opinions, 18 audit previews and four other publications, being part of the altogether 67 publications it issued in 2019;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Notes that the audit showed that the case of a former member investigated by OLAF was an isolated case; stressnotes that the report concluded that the Court’s management and control systems were affected by certain shortcomings which have, however, been effectively remedied since then and that, overall, the management and control procedures currently in place are reliable; takes into account that the IAS made recommendations aimed at improving further the management and control system, that the audit report was strictly confidential and that all members and the secretary-general of the Court received the report;
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Welcomes that the IAS considers that overall, reliable ex-post controls have been conducted for most of the high risk areas of the work of the directorates of the secretariat-general, based on the risk register and the operational objectives; appreciates being kept informed (in particular in the context of the past problems identified by an OLAF investigation on a former member of the Court)that the IAS has not observed any shortcomings that are of such importance as to seriously call into question the overall reliability of the internal control systems put in place by the authorising officer by delegation with regard to the legality and regularity of financial operations in 2019 and would appreciate such updates also in the future;
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Notes that members are authorised to use official vehicles in the performance of official duties; notes that the use of official cars for other journeys is additional to the performance of such duties and that since 1 January 2017, the costs and kilometres related to the use of official cars have decreased significantly; emphasises the new rules on increased transparency with regards to the use of official cars and drivers to ensure that members’ journeys are related to the execution of their duties; notes that new rules entered into force on 1 January 2020 and introduced a monthly EUR 100 contribution for the non- official use of the vehicles as well as a liability on the part of the members and the secretary-general for certain costs and charges;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Asks the Court to provide information on the results of three harassment complaints, which were reported and investigated in 2019; notes that they were handled in accordance with the procedures laid down in the policy for maintaining a satisfactory working environment and combating psychological and sexual harassment; notacknowledges that in terms of expenditure, the investigations of each case were carried out internally and thus did not entail any additional costs; notes that it is foreseen thwelcomes the intention to evaluate the Court's policy on protecting staff against harassment shall be evaluated every three years and that this exercise is due to be carried out in 2020;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Calls onUrges the Court to provide information on any decisions taken related to the process of reviewing and amending the code of conduct for its members; supports the conclusions of the peer review with respect to the need to introduce regular updates of declarations, which would increase their reliability; is in agreement that the ethics committee plays a crucial role to the extent that the president and the members may seek its advice on any question pertaining to ethics and on the interpretation of the code of conduct; notes, moreover, that the committee is entrusted with approving any external activity undertaken by the members, including former members who intend to carry out an activity in the year after they leave the Court, which is an efficient tool in ensuring the absence of conflicts of interest.