BETA


2004/2091(INI) European Ombudsman. 9th Annual report 2003

Progress: Procedure completed

RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Lead PETI DE ROSSA Proinsias (icon: PSE PSE)
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
RoP 232-p1-a2

Events

2005/03/10
   EC - Commission response to text adopted in plenary
Documents
2004/12/15
   EC - Commission response to text adopted in plenary
Documents
2004/11/18
   EP - Text adopted by Parliament, single reading
Details

The European Parliament adopted a resolution based on the own-initiative report by Prionsias DE ROSSA (PES, IE) on the 2003 Annual Report of the Ombudsman. (Please see the summary of 30/09/04.) The resolution was adopted by 530 votes in favour, 9 against with 20 abstentions.

Parliament congratulated the first European Ombudsman, Mr J. Söderman on the completion of his successful and challenging term of office on 31 March 2003. During his seven and a half years in office he fully consolidated the foundations of the Institution and helped over 11,000 citizens find redress. It also commended the efforts of Mr Nikiforos Diamandouros who, since taking office in April 2003, has successfully pursued the objectives of enhancing the effectiveness of the European Ombudsman's Office.

Parliament noted that the Commission has responded positively to the Ombudsman's proposal that it should systematically provide information to applicants for, and recipients of, grants and subsidies, about the possibility of complaining about maladministration.

Whilst there has been a substantial increase in the number of complaints, there still a level of confusion amongst the public regarding the precise scope of the Ombudsman's responsibility, since about 75% of the complaints fall outside his mandate. However, the Ombudsman tries in such cases to help the complainants by referring them to other bodies, in particular the Committee on Petitions or national and local ombudsmen.

Parliament also noted that in 2003 the Ombudsman presented a critical remark to institutions, in particular to the Council, concerning complaints about difficulties in obtaining access to documents. The Committee on Petitions dealt with this problem in a report concerning a complaint from the NGO "Statewatch", and the Council gave its assurance that it would in future respect the rules on access to documents. All EU institutions should implement Regulation 1049/2001/EC in a spirit of recognition that access to documents held by the European institutions and bodies is a fundamental right pursuant to Article 42 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Parliament supported the call for the Commission to bring forward proposals to amend Regulation 1049/2001/EC, especially in relation to access to legislative documents.

Finally, Parliament felt that the Ombudsman should have unlimited access to documents in connexion with his inquiries, and regretted that a qualified majority in the Council has not been able to give its approval to this resolution.

2004/11/18
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2004/11/18
   EP - Debate in Parliament
2004/11/18
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

The European Parliament adopted a resolution based on the own-initiative report by Prionsias DE ROSSA (PES, IE) on the 2003 Annual Report of the Ombudsman. (Please see the summary of 30/09/04.) The resolution was adopted by 530 votes in favour, 9 against with 20 abstentions.

Parliament congratulated the first European Ombudsman, Mr J. Söderman on the completion of his successful and challenging term of office on 31 March 2003. During his seven and a half years in office he fully consolidated the foundations of the Institution and helped over 11,000 citizens find redress. It also commended the efforts of Mr Nikiforos Diamandouros who, since taking office in April 2003, has successfully pursued the objectives of enhancing the effectiveness of the European Ombudsman's Office.

Parliament noted that the Commission has responded positively to the Ombudsman's proposal that it should systematically provide information to applicants for, and recipients of, grants and subsidies, about the possibility of complaining about maladministration.

Whilst there has been a substantial increase in the number of complaints, there still a level of confusion amongst the public regarding the precise scope of the Ombudsman's responsibility, since about 75% of the complaints fall outside his mandate. However, the Ombudsman tries in such cases to help the complainants by referring them to other bodies, in particular the Committee on Petitions or national and local ombudsmen.

Parliament also noted that in 2003 the Ombudsman presented a critical remark to institutions, in particular to the Council, concerning complaints about difficulties in obtaining access to documents. The Committee on Petitions dealt with this problem in a report concerning a complaint from the NGO "Statewatch", and the Council gave its assurance that it would in future respect the rules on access to documents. All EU institutions should implement Regulation 1049/2001/EC in a spirit of recognition that access to documents held by the European institutions and bodies is a fundamental right pursuant to Article 42 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Parliament supported the call for the Commission to bring forward proposals to amend Regulation 1049/2001/EC, especially in relation to access to legislative documents.

Finally, Parliament felt that the Ombudsman should have unlimited access to documents in connexion with his inquiries, and regretted that a qualified majority in the Council has not been able to give its approval to this resolution.

Documents
2004/11/18
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2004/10/29
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
Documents
2004/10/29
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary
Documents
2004/10/28
   EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament
2004/09/30
   EP - Vote in committee
Details

The committee adopted the own-initiative report by Prionsias DE ROSSA (PES, IE) on the 2003 Annual Report of the Ombudsman. MEPs congratulated the Ombudsman on his good work and the good relations he had with the Petitions Committee. They regarded the role of the Ombudsman as a key contribution towards a European Union in which decisions are taken "as openly as possible and as closely as possible to the citizen", as required by Article 1(2) of the TEU. They confirmed the need for the Ombudsman's statute to be revised to take account of the investigative powers of OLAF and Regulation 1049/2001 on access to documents.

The committee also welcomed the creation by the Ombudsman of a network of ombudsmen and other national and local bodies to which complaints are transferred which do not fall within his sphere of competence. MEPs felt that it would be useful for the Petitions Committee to have access to this network. Lastly, the committee believed that a future law on sound administration, which would have a legal basis in the draft Constitution, should be binding on all EU institutions and bodies.

2004/07/27
   EP - DE ROSSA Proinsias (PSE) appointed as rapporteur in PETI
2004/04/19
   MED - Non-legislative basic document
Details

PURPOSE : to present the 2003 Annual Report of the European Ombudsman.

CONTENT : this report provides an provides an account of the Ombudsman's activities in 2003. It is the first Annual Report to be presented by P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, whom the European Parliament elected as European Ombudsman on 15 January 2003.

Firstly, the report states that the total number of complaints received in 2003 was 2 436, a 10% increase compared to the previous year, due in part to a concerted effort to inform citizens of their rights. Nearly half the complaints were sent to the Ombudsman electronically, either by e-mail or using the complaint form on the Ombudsman's website. In almost 70% of cases, the Ombudsman was able to help the complainant by opening an inquiry into the case, transferring it to a competent body, or giving advice on where to turn for a prompt and effective solution to the problem. A total of 253 new inquiries were opened during the year. The Ombudsman also dealt with a large number of requests for information, of which 2 538 were sent by e-mail.

The Ombudsman made decisions closing 180 cases following inquiries. In 87 cases, the Ombudsman's inquiry revealed no maladministration. Such a finding is not always negative for the complainant, who at least has the benefit of a full explanation from the institution or body concerned of its actions. In 48 cases, the Ombudsman's inquiry resulted in the institution or body concerned settling the case to the full satisfaction of the complainant. While 7 proposals for friendly solutions were still under consideration at the end of 2003, 4 were achieved in the course of the year. 20 critical remarks were made during the year. 9 new draft recommendations were made during 2003. While the outcome of 4 of these was not yet known at the end of the year, the institutions concerned accepted 3, as well as another 2 that had been made in 2002. 5 own-initiative inquiries were launched in 2003, 4 of which were still open at the year end. 2 are based on complaints which indicated the possibility of a systemic problem. The first concerns the internal dispute resolution procedures available to national experts who are seconded to the Commission. The other concerns the activity of the Commission to promote the good administration of the European Schools.

In order to help achieve positive results, the Ombudsman has developed constructive working relations with the EU institutions and bodies. During these meetings, the Ombudsman emphasised that his role includes mediation and that friendly solutions are a positive outcome both for the complainant and the institution or body concerned. The active co-operation of the institutions and bodies is also essential in ensuring that everyone who might have reason to complain to the Ombudsman receives information about their right to do so and how to exercise that right. The Commission responded positively to the Ombudsman's suggestion. The Ombudsman has a close and effective working relationship with the Committee on Petitions of the European Parliament, including a process of mutual transfer of cases when appropriate.

The Ombudsman participated actively in the Convention on the Future of Europe to ensure that citizens' rights were given a central place in the Draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. The European Ombudsman co-operates with an extensive network of ombudsmen and similar bodies in Europe. The network now covers 90 offices in 30 countries, comprising offices at the national and regional levels within the European Union and at the national level in the applicant countries for EU membership, Norway and Iceland. The European Ombudsman transfers cases directly to national and regional ombudsmen when possible.

Lastly, a key part of the Ombudsman's work is to reach out to inform citizens of their rights, including the right to complain to the European Ombudsman. At the end of May 2003, the Ombudsman announced his intention to visit all ten accession countries before 1 May 2004, the date of enlargement, and as many of the Member States as possible. By the end of 2003, the Ombudsman had visited 11 of the existing and five of the future Member States, meeting high officials and presenting his work to non-governmental organisations, chambers of commerce, university students, journalists and other interested citizens. The Ombudsman and his staff also addressed a total of 80 conferences, meetings and groups all over the Union during 2003.

Documents
2004/04/18
   EC - Non-legislative basic document published
Details

PURPOSE : to present the 2003 Annual Report of the European Ombudsman.

CONTENT : this report provides an provides an account of the Ombudsman's activities in 2003. It is the first Annual Report to be presented by P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, whom the European Parliament elected as European Ombudsman on 15 January 2003.

Firstly, the report states that the total number of complaints received in 2003 was 2 436, a 10% increase compared to the previous year, due in part to a concerted effort to inform citizens of their rights. Nearly half the complaints were sent to the Ombudsman electronically, either by e-mail or using the complaint form on the Ombudsman's website. In almost 70% of cases, the Ombudsman was able to help the complainant by opening an inquiry into the case, transferring it to a competent body, or giving advice on where to turn for a prompt and effective solution to the problem. A total of 253 new inquiries were opened during the year. The Ombudsman also dealt with a large number of requests for information, of which 2 538 were sent by e-mail.

The Ombudsman made decisions closing 180 cases following inquiries. In 87 cases, the Ombudsman's inquiry revealed no maladministration. Such a finding is not always negative for the complainant, who at least has the benefit of a full explanation from the institution or body concerned of its actions. In 48 cases, the Ombudsman's inquiry resulted in the institution or body concerned settling the case to the full satisfaction of the complainant. While 7 proposals for friendly solutions were still under consideration at the end of 2003, 4 were achieved in the course of the year. 20 critical remarks were made during the year. 9 new draft recommendations were made during 2003. While the outcome of 4 of these was not yet known at the end of the year, the institutions concerned accepted 3, as well as another 2 that had been made in 2002. 5 own-initiative inquiries were launched in 2003, 4 of which were still open at the year end. 2 are based on complaints which indicated the possibility of a systemic problem. The first concerns the internal dispute resolution procedures available to national experts who are seconded to the Commission. The other concerns the activity of the Commission to promote the good administration of the European Schools.

In order to help achieve positive results, the Ombudsman has developed constructive working relations with the EU institutions and bodies. During these meetings, the Ombudsman emphasised that his role includes mediation and that friendly solutions are a positive outcome both for the complainant and the institution or body concerned. The active co-operation of the institutions and bodies is also essential in ensuring that everyone who might have reason to complain to the Ombudsman receives information about their right to do so and how to exercise that right. The Commission responded positively to the Ombudsman's suggestion. The Ombudsman has a close and effective working relationship with the Committee on Petitions of the European Parliament, including a process of mutual transfer of cases when appropriate.

The Ombudsman participated actively in the Convention on the Future of Europe to ensure that citizens' rights were given a central place in the Draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. The European Ombudsman co-operates with an extensive network of ombudsmen and similar bodies in Europe. The network now covers 90 offices in 30 countries, comprising offices at the national and regional levels within the European Union and at the national level in the applicant countries for EU membership, Norway and Iceland. The European Ombudsman transfers cases directly to national and regional ombudsmen when possible.

Lastly, a key part of the Ombudsman's work is to reach out to inform citizens of their rights, including the right to complain to the European Ombudsman. At the end of May 2003, the Ombudsman announced his intention to visit all ten accession countries before 1 May 2004, the date of enlargement, and as many of the Member States as possible. By the end of 2003, the Ombudsman had visited 11 of the existing and five of the future Member States, meeting high officials and presenting his work to non-governmental organisations, chambers of commerce, university students, journalists and other interested citizens. The Ombudsman and his staff also addressed a total of 80 conferences, meetings and groups all over the Union during 2003.

Documents

Documents

Votes

Rapport De Rossa A6-0030/2004 - résolution #

2004/11/18 Outcome: +: 530, 0: 20, -: 9
DE FR PL IT GB ES PT NL EL CZ SE HU BE AT SK LT IE FI DK LV SI CY LU MT EE
Total
87
58
48
51
50
34
22
23
18
17
15
15
17
15
13
11
10
10
11
8
6
6
5
5
4
icon: PPE-DE PPE-DE
219
2

Denmark PPE-DE

For (1)

1

Slovenia PPE-DE

3

Luxembourg PPE-DE

2

Malta PPE-DE

2

Estonia PPE-DE

For (1)

1
icon: PSE PSE
136

Czechia PSE

For (1)

1

Slovakia PSE

2

Lithuania PSE

For (1)

2

Ireland PSE

1

Finland PSE

1

Slovenia PSE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg PSE

For (1)

1

Estonia PSE

For (1)

1
icon: ALDE ALDE
73

Sweden ALDE

2

Hungary ALDE

1

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

1

Latvia ALDE

1

Slovenia ALDE

2

Cyprus ALDE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg ALDE

For (1)

1

Estonia ALDE

2
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
33

Italy Verts/ALE

1

United Kingdom Verts/ALE

4

Spain Verts/ALE

2

Netherlands Verts/ALE

3

Sweden Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Belgium Verts/ALE

1

Austria Verts/ALE

1

Finland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Denmark Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
29

France GUE/NGL

3

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

1

Portugal GUE/NGL

3

Netherlands GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Greece GUE/NGL

1

Sweden GUE/NGL

2

Ireland GUE/NGL

1

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2
icon: UEN UEN
20

Lithuania UEN

1

Ireland UEN

2

Denmark UEN

For (1)

1
icon: IND/DEM IND/DEM
23

France IND/DEM

Abstain (1)

1

Italy IND/DEM

Against (1)

1

Netherlands IND/DEM

2

Czechia IND/DEM

Abstain (1)

1

Sweden IND/DEM

For (1)

1

Ireland IND/DEM

For (1)

1

Denmark IND/DEM

Abstain (1)

1
icon: NI NI
26

United Kingdom NI

Against (2)

2

Czechia NI

1

Belgium NI

3

Austria NI

Abstain (1)

2

Slovakia NI

Abstain (2)

3

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

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procedure/legal_basis/0
Rules of Procedure EP 232-p1-a2
procedure/legal_basis/0
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committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
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committee_full
Petitions
committee
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rapporteur
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committees/0
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PETI
date
2004-07-27T00:00:00
rapporteur
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docs/2/docs/0/url
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activities
  • date: 2004-04-19T00:00:00 docs: type: Non-legislative basic document published title: OMB0001/2004 body: EC commission: type: Non-legislative basic document published
  • date: 2004-09-30T00:00:00 body: EP committees: body: EP responsible: True committee: PETI date: 2004-07-27T00:00:00 committee_full: Petitions rapporteur: group: PSE name: DE ROSSA Proinsias type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • date: 2004-10-28T00:00:00 body: EP type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP responsible: True committee: PETI date: 2004-07-27T00:00:00 committee_full: Petitions rapporteur: group: PSE name: DE ROSSA Proinsias
  • date: 2004-10-29T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A6-2004-30&language=EN type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading title: A6-0030/2004 body: EP type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
  • date: 2004-11-18T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=3686&l=en type: Results of vote in Parliament title: Results of vote in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20041118&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P6-TA-2004-65 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T6-0065/2004 body: EP type: Results of vote in Parliament
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
associated
False
committee_full
Petitions
committee
PETI
date
2004-07-27T00:00:00
rapporteur
name: DE ROSSA Proinsias group: Socialist Group in the European Parliament abbr: PSE
committees/0
body
EP
responsible
True
committee
PETI
date
2004-07-27T00:00:00
committee_full
Petitions
rapporteur
group: PSE name: DE ROSSA Proinsias
docs
  • date: 2004-07-30T00:00:00 docs: title: PE346.943 type: Committee draft report body: EP
  • date: 2004-09-16T00:00:00 docs: title: PE347.112 type: Amendments tabled in committee body: EP
  • date: 2004-10-29T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A6-2004-30&language=EN title: A6-0030/2004 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading body: EP
  • date: 2004-11-18T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P6-TA-2004-65 title: T6-0065/2004 url: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/JOHtml.do?uri=OJ:C:2005:201E:SOM:EN:HTML title: OJ C 201 18.08.2005, p. 0092-0115 E summary: The European Parliament adopted a resolution based on the own-initiative report by Prionsias DE ROSSA (PES, IE) on the 2003 Annual Report of the Ombudsman. (Please see the summary of 30/09/04.) The resolution was adopted by 530 votes in favour, 9 against with 20 abstentions. Parliament congratulated the first European Ombudsman, Mr J. Söderman on the completion of his successful and challenging term of office on 31 March 2003. During his seven and a half years in office he fully consolidated the foundations of the Institution and helped over 11,000 citizens find redress. It also commended the efforts of Mr Nikiforos Diamandouros who, since taking office in April 2003, has successfully pursued the objectives of enhancing the effectiveness of the European Ombudsman's Office. Parliament noted that the Commission has responded positively to the Ombudsman's proposal that it should systematically provide information to applicants for, and recipients of, grants and subsidies, about the possibility of complaining about maladministration. Whilst there has been a substantial increase in the number of complaints, there still a level of confusion amongst the public regarding the precise scope of the Ombudsman's responsibility, since about 75% of the complaints fall outside his mandate. However, the Ombudsman tries in such cases to help the complainants by referring them to other bodies, in particular the Committee on Petitions or national and local ombudsmen. Parliament also noted that in 2003 the Ombudsman presented a critical remark to institutions, in particular to the Council, concerning complaints about difficulties in obtaining access to documents. The Committee on Petitions dealt with this problem in a report concerning a complaint from the NGO "Statewatch", and the Council gave its assurance that it would in future respect the rules on access to documents. All EU institutions should implement Regulation 1049/2001/EC in a spirit of recognition that access to documents held by the European institutions and bodies is a fundamental right pursuant to Article 42 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Parliament supported the call for the Commission to bring forward proposals to amend Regulation 1049/2001/EC, especially in relation to access to legislative documents. Finally, Parliament felt that the Ombudsman should have unlimited access to documents in connexion with his inquiries, and regretted that a qualified majority in the Council has not been able to give its approval to this resolution. type: Text adopted by Parliament, single reading body: EP
  • date: 2004-12-15T00:00:00 docs: url: /oeil/spdoc.do?i=3686&j=0&l=en title: SP(2004)3173 type: Commission response to text adopted in plenary
  • date: 2005-03-10T00:00:00 docs: title: SP(2005)526 type: Commission response to text adopted in plenary
events
  • date: 2004-04-19T00:00:00 type: Non-legislative basic document published body: EC docs: title: OMB0001/2004 summary: PURPOSE : to present the 2003 Annual Report of the European Ombudsman. CONTENT : this report provides an provides an account of the Ombudsman's activities in 2003. It is the first Annual Report to be presented by P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, whom the European Parliament elected as European Ombudsman on 15 January 2003. Firstly, the report states that the total number of complaints received in 2003 was 2 436, a 10% increase compared to the previous year, due in part to a concerted effort to inform citizens of their rights. Nearly half the complaints were sent to the Ombudsman electronically, either by e-mail or using the complaint form on the Ombudsman's website. In almost 70% of cases, the Ombudsman was able to help the complainant by opening an inquiry into the case, transferring it to a competent body, or giving advice on where to turn for a prompt and effective solution to the problem. A total of 253 new inquiries were opened during the year. The Ombudsman also dealt with a large number of requests for information, of which 2 538 were sent by e-mail. The Ombudsman made decisions closing 180 cases following inquiries. In 87 cases, the Ombudsman's inquiry revealed no maladministration. Such a finding is not always negative for the complainant, who at least has the benefit of a full explanation from the institution or body concerned of its actions. In 48 cases, the Ombudsman's inquiry resulted in the institution or body concerned settling the case to the full satisfaction of the complainant. While 7 proposals for friendly solutions were still under consideration at the end of 2003, 4 were achieved in the course of the year. 20 critical remarks were made during the year. 9 new draft recommendations were made during 2003. While the outcome of 4 of these was not yet known at the end of the year, the institutions concerned accepted 3, as well as another 2 that had been made in 2002. 5 own-initiative inquiries were launched in 2003, 4 of which were still open at the year end. 2 are based on complaints which indicated the possibility of a systemic problem. The first concerns the internal dispute resolution procedures available to national experts who are seconded to the Commission. The other concerns the activity of the Commission to promote the good administration of the European Schools. In order to help achieve positive results, the Ombudsman has developed constructive working relations with the EU institutions and bodies. During these meetings, the Ombudsman emphasised that his role includes mediation and that friendly solutions are a positive outcome both for the complainant and the institution or body concerned. The active co-operation of the institutions and bodies is also essential in ensuring that everyone who might have reason to complain to the Ombudsman receives information about their right to do so and how to exercise that right. The Commission responded positively to the Ombudsman's suggestion. The Ombudsman has a close and effective working relationship with the Committee on Petitions of the European Parliament, including a process of mutual transfer of cases when appropriate. The Ombudsman participated actively in the Convention on the Future of Europe to ensure that citizens' rights were given a central place in the Draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. The European Ombudsman co-operates with an extensive network of ombudsmen and similar bodies in Europe. The network now covers 90 offices in 30 countries, comprising offices at the national and regional levels within the European Union and at the national level in the applicant countries for EU membership, Norway and Iceland. The European Ombudsman transfers cases directly to national and regional ombudsmen when possible. Lastly, a key part of the Ombudsman's work is to reach out to inform citizens of their rights, including the right to complain to the European Ombudsman. At the end of May 2003, the Ombudsman announced his intention to visit all ten accession countries before 1 May 2004, the date of enlargement, and as many of the Member States as possible. By the end of 2003, the Ombudsman had visited 11 of the existing and five of the future Member States, meeting high officials and presenting his work to non-governmental organisations, chambers of commerce, university students, journalists and other interested citizens. The Ombudsman and his staff also addressed a total of 80 conferences, meetings and groups all over the Union during 2003.
  • date: 2004-09-30T00:00:00 type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading body: EP summary: The committee adopted the own-initiative report by Prionsias DE ROSSA (PES, IE) on the 2003 Annual Report of the Ombudsman. MEPs congratulated the Ombudsman on his good work and the good relations he had with the Petitions Committee. They regarded the role of the Ombudsman as a key contribution towards a European Union in which decisions are taken "as openly as possible and as closely as possible to the citizen", as required by Article 1(2) of the TEU. They confirmed the need for the Ombudsman's statute to be revised to take account of the investigative powers of OLAF and Regulation 1049/2001 on access to documents. The committee also welcomed the creation by the Ombudsman of a network of ombudsmen and other national and local bodies to which complaints are transferred which do not fall within his sphere of competence. MEPs felt that it would be useful for the Petitions Committee to have access to this network. Lastly, the committee believed that a future law on sound administration, which would have a legal basis in the draft Constitution, should be binding on all EU institutions and bodies.
  • date: 2004-10-28T00:00:00 type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2004-10-29T00:00:00 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A6-2004-30&language=EN title: A6-0030/2004
  • date: 2004-11-18T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=3686&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2004-11-18T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20041118&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2004-11-18T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P6-TA-2004-65 title: T6-0065/2004 summary: The European Parliament adopted a resolution based on the own-initiative report by Prionsias DE ROSSA (PES, IE) on the 2003 Annual Report of the Ombudsman. (Please see the summary of 30/09/04.) The resolution was adopted by 530 votes in favour, 9 against with 20 abstentions. Parliament congratulated the first European Ombudsman, Mr J. Söderman on the completion of his successful and challenging term of office on 31 March 2003. During his seven and a half years in office he fully consolidated the foundations of the Institution and helped over 11,000 citizens find redress. It also commended the efforts of Mr Nikiforos Diamandouros who, since taking office in April 2003, has successfully pursued the objectives of enhancing the effectiveness of the European Ombudsman's Office. Parliament noted that the Commission has responded positively to the Ombudsman's proposal that it should systematically provide information to applicants for, and recipients of, grants and subsidies, about the possibility of complaining about maladministration. Whilst there has been a substantial increase in the number of complaints, there still a level of confusion amongst the public regarding the precise scope of the Ombudsman's responsibility, since about 75% of the complaints fall outside his mandate. However, the Ombudsman tries in such cases to help the complainants by referring them to other bodies, in particular the Committee on Petitions or national and local ombudsmen. Parliament also noted that in 2003 the Ombudsman presented a critical remark to institutions, in particular to the Council, concerning complaints about difficulties in obtaining access to documents. The Committee on Petitions dealt with this problem in a report concerning a complaint from the NGO "Statewatch", and the Council gave its assurance that it would in future respect the rules on access to documents. All EU institutions should implement Regulation 1049/2001/EC in a spirit of recognition that access to documents held by the European institutions and bodies is a fundamental right pursuant to Article 42 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Parliament supported the call for the Commission to bring forward proposals to amend Regulation 1049/2001/EC, especially in relation to access to legislative documents. Finally, Parliament felt that the Ombudsman should have unlimited access to documents in connexion with his inquiries, and regretted that a qualified majority in the Council has not been able to give its approval to this resolution.
  • date: 2004-11-18T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
links
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    procedure/dossier_of_the_committee
    Old
    PETI/6/22627
    New
    • PETI/6/22627
    procedure/legal_basis/0
    Rules of Procedure EP 220-p2-a2
    procedure/legal_basis/0
    Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 220-p2-a2
    procedure/subject
    Old
    • 1.20.04 European Ombudsman
    New
    1.20.04
    European Ombudsman
    activities
    • date: 2004-04-19T00:00:00 docs: type: Non-legislative basic document published title: OMB0001/2004 body: EC commission: type: Non-legislative basic document published
    • date: 2004-09-30T00:00:00 body: EP committees: body: EP responsible: True committee: PETI date: 2004-07-27T00:00:00 committee_full: Petitions rapporteur: group: PSE name: DE ROSSA Proinsias type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
    • date: 2004-10-28T00:00:00 body: EP type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP responsible: True committee: PETI date: 2004-07-27T00:00:00 committee_full: Petitions rapporteur: group: PSE name: DE ROSSA Proinsias
    • date: 2004-10-29T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A6-2004-30&language=EN type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading title: A6-0030/2004 body: EP type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
    • date: 2004-11-18T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=3686&l=en type: Results of vote in Parliament title: Results of vote in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20041118&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P6-TA-2004-65 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T6-0065/2004 body: EP type: Results of vote in Parliament
    committees
    • body: EP responsible: True committee: PETI date: 2004-07-27T00:00:00 committee_full: Petitions rapporteur: group: PSE name: DE ROSSA Proinsias
    links
    other
      procedure
      dossier_of_the_committee
      PETI/6/22627
      reference
      2004/2091(INI)
      title
      European Ombudsman. 9th Annual report 2003
      legal_basis
      Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 220-p2-a2
      stage_reached
      Procedure completed
      type
      INI - Own-initiative procedure
      subject
      1.20.04 European Ombudsman