2017/2022(BUD) | [ParlTrack]

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Vladimír MAŇKA, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)

- having regard to its resolution of 14 April 2016 on Parliament's estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 20171a; ________________ 1a Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0132.

Amendment 10 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Pursuant to paragraph 15 of its resolution of 14 April 2016 on Parliament's estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2017 and to paragraph 97 of its report of 13 October 2016 on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017 requiring that the method of establishment of the budget of the Parliament on the basis of the current needs and not on the basis of a system of coefficients is used for the first time during the budgetary procedure for the financial year 2018, calls for the fulfilment of those requests;

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Notes that the recently revised Rules of Procedure12 have limited Members to a maximum of three oral explanations of vote per part-session~~, but remains concerned about the additional costs required for interpretation that they generate; urg~~; invites the Secretary-General to provide a detailed breakdown of the costs related to oral explanations of vote; indicates the availability of alternatives such as written explanations of vote as well as a wealth of public communications facilities within Parliament’s premises for Members to explain their voting positions; calls, as an interim measure, for the purposes of clarifying whether disproportional additional costs are required for interpretation that they generate; indicates the availability of alternatives as provided on and stipulated by the Rules of Procedure, such as written explanations of vote; calls for oral explanation of votes to be regularly placed at the end of business each day on the plenary agenda; __________________ 12 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0484 - Rule 183(1).

Amendment 101 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Notes that the recently revised Rules of Procedure12 have limited Members to a maximum of three oral explanations of vote per part-session, but remains concerned about the additional costs required for interpretation as well as for the translation of the explanation transcripts that they generate; urges the Secretary-General to provide a detailed breakdown of the costs related to oral explanations of vote; indicates the availability of alternatives such as written explanations of vote as well as a wealth of public communications facilities within Parliament’'s premises for Members to explain their voting positions; calls, as an interim measure, for oral explanation of votes to be placed at the end of business each day on the plenary agenda; __________________ 12 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0484 - Rule 183(1).

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25a. Believes that Members should be an example for citizens facing the disastrous effects of the economic crisis in several Member States and asks therefore for a reduction of at least 15% in their salaries and allowances; considers that the subsistence allowance should be paid on the basis of rigorous reporting proved by supporting documents;

Amendment 103 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25 a. Recalls Parliament’s resolutions of 29 April 2015 on Parliament's estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2016 and of 28 October 20151a on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 20161b; reiterates the appeal for greater transparency regarding the general expenditure allowance for Members; calls on Parliament's Bureau to work on more precise guidance regarding the accountability of the expenditure authorised under this allowance, without generating additional costs to Parliament; __________________ 1a Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0172 1b Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0376

Amendment 104 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25 a. Recalls the obligation on Members to inform the administration immediately of any change in their declarations of interests; regrets that the CVs and declarations of interests of Members are uploaded to Parliament's website very late; believes that Members' declarations of interest should be published in a machine-readable format; is of the opinion that the ethical ad hoc advisory committee should be composed of independent experts and should conduct its work more transparently;

Amendment 105 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25 a. Disagrees with the need to change the furniture in the offices of Members and their assistants in Brussels; considers that the majority of this furniture is in proper condition and that therefore there is no reason to hange it; considers that furniture should only be changed when there is a justified reason;

Amendment 106 #

Jens GEIER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

Amendment 107 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. In preparation for the ninth legislature, calls on the Secretary-General to submit to the Bureau a more precise list of expenses defrayable under the General Expenditure Allowance (GEA), as well as suggesting measures to improve the accountability of this expenditure, using best practice cases from national delegations in the Parliament and Member States; calls for an annual expenses sheet from each Member; believes that Members should also be able to provide links on the Parliament website to places where they currently publish their spending records; reiterates that the improved transparency of the GEA should not require additional staff in Parliament's administration; asks that the next revision of the Statute of Members will include the proposal of an annual mandatory publication of the use of the GEA;

Amendment 108 #

Paul RÜBIG, Monika HOHLMEIER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. In preparation for the ninth legislature, calls on the Secretary-General to submit to the Bureau a more precise list of expenses defrayable under the General Expenditure Allowance (GEA)~~, as well as suggesting measures to improve the accountability of this expenditure, using best practice cases from national delegations~~ ; reiterates the appeal for greater transparency regarding the ~~Parliament and Member States; believes~~general expenditure allowance for thate Members ~~should also be able to provide links on the Parliament website to places where they currently publish their spending records; reiterates that the improved transparency of the GEA should not require~~; calls on the Bureau to work on a definition of more precise rules regarding the accountability of the expenditure authorised under this allowance, without generating additional ~~staff in~~costs to Parliament~~'s administration~~;

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. In preparation for the ninth legislature, calls on the Secretary-General to submit to the Bureau a ~~more precise~~ list of expenses ~~defrayable~~ under the General Expenditure Allowance (GEA)~~, as well as suggesting measures to improve the accountability of this expenditure, using best practice cases from national delegations in the Parliament and Member St~~; recalls the principle of the independence of the mandates; ~~believes that Members should also be able to provide links on the Parliament website to places where they currently publish their spending record~~underlines that it is possible for Members who wish to do so to publish their spending record of the GEA on their personal webpages; reiterates that the improved transparency of the GEA should not require additional staff in Parliament's administration;

Amendment 11 #

Gérard DEPREZ, Nedzhmi ALI, Louis MICHEL, Jean ARTHUIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that the amount set aside for extraordinary investment and expenditure in 2018 is EUR 47,6 million, the same level as in 2017; ~~considers~~recalls that the distinction between ordinary and extraordinary expenditure, first introduced in the 2016 budget and included in the consecutive budgets, was made solely in order to respond to the urgent need for implementation measures concerning security of buildings and cybersecurity following the terrorist attacks; considers that the excessive use of that distinction,namely the inclusion of other expenditure in extraordinary expenditure, gives an erroneous indication of the evolution of the budgetary margin and is thus in contradiction with the principle of transparency of Parliament's expenditure; considers, therefore, that the 2019 communication campaign ought to not be considered as extraordinary expenditure;

Amendment 110 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. In preparation for the ninth legislature, calls on the Secretary-General to submit to the Bureau a more precise list of expenses defrayable under the General Expenditure Allowance (GEA), as well as suggesting measures to improve the accountability of this expenditure~~, using~~ with the aim of making spending records public, using building on best practice cases from national delegations in the Parliament and Member States; believes that Members should also be able to provide links on the Parliament website to places where they currently publish their spending records; reiterates that the improved transparency of the GEA should not require additional staff in Parliament's administration;

Amendment 111 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26a. Asks the Bureau for better rules regarding the reimbursement of travels made by car; considers that all journeys, no matter the distance, should be proved by supporting documents;

Amendment 112 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26 a. Believes that Members should set an example to citizens who are facing the disastrous consequences of the economic crisis in several Member States and therefore calls for a reduction of at least 15% in their salaries and benefits, including the GEA;

Amendment 113 #

Monika HOHLMEIER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

~~27. Considers that the current envelope of EUR 24 164 per month for parliamentary assistance per Member is more than adequate and should not be increased;~~deleted

Amendment 114 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Considers that the current envelope ~~of EUR 24 164 per month~~ for parliamentary assistance per Member is madequate to supporet th~~an adequate~~e current needs and should not be increased without prejudice to indexation of salaries and the alignment of mission expenses between Parliament's working places to the rules that apply to the rest the staff;

Amendment 115 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Considers that the current envelope of EUR 24 164 per month for parliamentary assistance per Member ~~is more than adequate and should not be increased~~should be reconsidered and decreased to an appropriate level, such as the 2015 level;

Amendment 116 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Considers that the current envelope of EUR 24 164 per month for parliamentary assistance per Member ~~is more than adequate and should not be increased~~should be cut;

Amendment 117 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Considers ~~that the current envelope of EUR 24 164 per month for parliamentary assistance per Member is more than adequate and should not be increased~~it appropriate to keep the increase in budget line 422 ‘Expenditure related to parliamentary assistance’ to a minimum;

Amendment 118 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Considers that the current envelope of EUR 24 164 per month for parliamentary assistance per Member is ~~more than adequate and should not be increased~~overall adequate;

Amendment 119 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27a. Believes that, in order to reduce expenditure, the chauffeur service should only be provided to and from the airport or railway station to the place of work, with the use of minivans and buses at scheduled times; considers that all other travel should be privately arranged by Members;

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that the amount set aside for extraordinary investment and expenditure in 2018 is EUR 47,6 million, the same level as in 2017; considers that the 2019 communication campaign ought to not be considered as extraordinary expenditure and should become a permanent feature in the budget of the European Parliament in order to promote legislative work and Members’ activities in their constituencies;

Amendment 120 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27 a. Recalls the request, adopted by the plenary in its abovementioned resolution of 14 April 2016 on Parliament’s estimates for 2017, that the rules governing the reimbursement of mission expenses related to travels between the Parliament's three working places and incurred by accredited parliamentary assistants (APAs) be revised in order to align them with the rules applicable to the rest of the staff, and regrets that, to date, no action has been taken in this regard; calls on the Bureau to address that issue without any further delay; meanwhile underlines that the current mission reimbursements ceilings for APAs (EUR 120/140/160) have not been adjusted since 2011 and that the discrepancy between APAs and other staff has further increased up to at least 40 % following the introduction of new ceilings approved by the Council on 9 September 2016 and so far only applied to staff officials as from 10 September 2016; calls therefore on the Bureau to take the necessary measures to remedy this inequality;

Amendment 121 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27 a. Recalls in this regard the request, adopted by the plenary in its abovementioned resolution of 14 April 2016 on Parliament’s estimates for 2017, that the rules governing the reimbursement of mission expenses related to travels between the Parliament's working places and incurred by accredited parliamentary assistants be revised in order to align them with the rules applicable to the rest of the staff and regrets that no action has been taken to date; calls on the Bureau to swiftly address this issue; meanwhile underlines that the current mission reimbursements ceilings for APAs (EUR 120/140/160) have not been adjusted since 2009 and that the discrepancy between APAs and other staff has further increased up to at least 40 % following the introduction of new ceilings approved by the Council on 9 September 2016 and so far only applied to staff officials as from 10 September 2016; calls therefore on the Bureau to take the necessary measures to remedy this inequality;

Amendment 122 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27 a. Calls for a transparent and appropriate use of reimbursement of the Members' travel expenses and recommends incentivising the use of economy class both with regard to air transport and to rail transport; calls for full transparency in this regard, above all concerning travel by car within the Member State of election and recommends, with regard to such travel, at the end of the mandate, the publication of all reimbursement requests submitted over the five years of mandate, such as dates and the kilometres travelled;

Amendment 123 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27 a. Notes that in the total Parliament budget, Members’ expenditure represents only 21 % of the total, less than the allocation for Parliament staff and for other expenditure; reiterates the need to refocus the work of Parliament on the elected officials, the legislative procedures and keeping better and closer contact with the constituencies;

Amendment 124 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)

27 b. Points out that in cases of harassment or whistle-blowing, APAs are in a particularly vulnerable position, as their contracts are based on mutual trust between the Member and the assistant and that, if this trust is lacking, that in itself is reason for terminating the contract and that, furthermore, if a Member has to resign because of reputational damage as a consequence of harassment or other irregularities, this normally means that the contracts of all his or her assistants will also be terminated; calls therefore for the immediate strengthening of the representation of APAs in the advisory committee on harassment;

Amendment 125 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)

27 b. Firmly believes that the Parliament chauffeur service should be used by Members exclusively for reaching Parliament’s premises from the airport or station or vice versa, by using Parliament minivans and minibuses, and calls for a restricted weekday budget for taxi reimbursement requests; recalls that Members have the opportunity to freely use rail transport in Belgium;

Amendment 126 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 c (new)

27 c. Calls on the Conference of Presidents and the Bureau to reconsider the possibility for APAs, subject to certain conditions, to accompany Members on official Parliament Delegations and Missions, as already requested by several Members; is of the view that Members should decide whether their assistants should accompany them on official delegations, using their parliamentary assistance allowance envelope;

Amendment 127 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. ~~Welcome~~Regrets the proposal to reduce the establishment plan of Parliament’s Secretariat by 60 posts in order to comply with Point 27 of the IIA of 2 December 2013, namely, a progressive 5% staff reduction in all institutions, bodies and agencies between 2013 and 2017; highlights that owing to specific needs arising in Parliament in 2014 and 2016, an agreement was reached with the Council on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 201613 , in which Parliament’s annual staff reduction measures are set to continue until 2019; __________________ 13 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0407.by 60 posts the staff of the Parliament; considers that Parliament's primary objective is legislative excellence, and that this staff reduction scheme hinders this aspiration;

Amendment 128 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Welcomes the proposal to reduce the establishment plan of Parliament’s Secretariat by 60 posts in order to comply with Point 27 of the IIA of 2 December 2013, namely, a progressive 5% staff reduction in all institutions, bodies and agencies between 2013 and 2017; however believes that a much larger staff reduction target should be implemented; highlights that owing to specific needs arising in Parliament in 2014 and 2016, an agreement was reached with the Council on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 201613 , in which Parliament’s annual staff reduction measures are set to continue until 2019; __________________ 13 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0407. Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0407.

Amendment 129 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. ~~Welcomes the proposal to reduce the establishment plan of Parliament’s Secretariat by 60 posts in order to comply with~~Pursuant to Point 27 of the IIA of 2 December 2013~~, namely,~~ on a progressive 5 % staff reduction inapplying to all institutions, bodies and agencies between 2013 and 2017;, highlights that owing to specific needs arising in Parliament in 2014 and 2016, an agreement was reached with the Council on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 201613, in which Parliament’'s annual staff reduction measures are set to continue until 2019; __________________ 13 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0407. Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0407.

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Note~~Regrets that the amount set aside for extraordinary investment and expenditure in 2018 is EUR 47,6 million~~, the same level as in~~ and that the level of that expenditure has not been reduced compared to 2017; considers that the 2019 communication campaign ought to not be considered as extraordinary expenditure, due to the cyclical nature of elections which occur every five years;

Amendment 130 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)

28 a. Considers that the cuts to posts within Parliament's administration based on the targeted staff reduction should not come at the expense of smaller Union languages or smaller Member States;

Amendment 131 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. ~~Notes that, while political groups have been exempted from these annual staff reduction measures since 201414 ,~~Regrets the conciliation agreement on the 2017 budget ~~included~~with an increase of 76 posts for political groups, fully compensated by a decrease in posts from the establishment plan of Parliament's Secretariat; __________________ 14Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0437; Texts adopted, P8_TA(2014)0036; Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0376; Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0411.; believes that the total level of staff in political groups should be included in the 5 % staff reduction target;

Amendment 132 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. ~~Notes that, while~~Strongly opposes the fact that political groups have been exempted from these annual staff reduction measures since 201414 ,and rejects the conciliation agreement on the 2017 budget which included an increase of 76 posts for political groups, fully compensated by a decrease in posts from the establishment plan of Parliament's Secretariat; __________________ 14 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0437; Texts adopted, P8_TA(2014)0036; Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0376; Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0411.

Amendment 133 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. ~~Not~~Stresses that, while political groups have been exempted from these annual staff reduction measures since 201414 , the conciliation agreement on the 2017 budget included an increase of 76 posts for political groups, fully compensated by an equal decrease in posts from the establishment plan of Parliament's Secretariat; __________________ 14 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0437; Texts adopted, P8_TA(2014)0036; Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0376; Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0411.

Amendment 134 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Notes that, while political groups have been exempted from these annual staff reduction measures since 201414 , the conciliation agreement on the 2017 budget ~~included an increase of 76 posts for political groups, fully compensat~~has led byto a decrease in posts from the establishment plan of Parliament's Secretariat because of the non-respect of the gentleman's agreement by the Council; __________________ 14 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0437; Texts adopted, P8_TA(2014)0036; Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0376; Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0411.

Amendment 135 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29 a. Recalls that the total level of staff in political groups is exempted from the 5 % staff reduction target in line with the decisions taken in respect of the financial years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017;

Amendment 136 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Considers that the loss of 136 posts from the Parliament’s Secretariat in 2016, due to the annual staff reduction and increase of political group staff posts, may create difficulties for the provision of services by the Parliament’s administration; calls on the Secretary- General to provide more information regarding staff reduction measures last year, and to evaluate the consequences of budgetary decisions on the functioning of the institution;deleted

Amendment 137 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

Amendment 138 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Considers that the loss of 136 posts from the Parliament’'s Secretariat in 2016, due to the annual staff reduction and ~~increase of~~the transfer of posts to political group ~~staff post~~s, may create ~~difficulti~~challenges for the provision of services by the Parliament’'s administration; calls on the Secretary- General to provide more information regarding staff reduction measures last year, and to evaluate the consequences of budgetary decisions on the functioning of the institution more generally; calls on the Secretary-General to proceed with great care when taking decisions implementing the losses of the posts, avoiding cuts where the core business of Parliament, such as legislative or budgetary work could be affected;

Amendment 139 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Considers that the loss of 136 posts from the Parliament’s Secretariat in 2016, due to the annual staff reduction and increase of political group staff posts, may create difficulties for the provision of services by the Parliament’s administration; calls on the Secretary- General to provide more information regarding staff reduction measures last year and the progressive 5 % staff reduction planned to take place this year, and to evaluate the consequences of budgetary decisions on the functioning of the institution;

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

Amendment 140 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. ~~Considers that~~Welcomes the loss of 136 posts from the Parliament’s Secretariat in 2016, due to the annual staff reduction ~~and increase of political group staff posts, may create difficulties for the provision of services by the Parliament’s administrati~~, however believes much more can be done; calls on the Secretary- General to provide more information regarding staff reduction measures last year, and to evaluate the consequences of budgetary decisions on the functioning of the institution;

Amendment 141 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Considers that the regretful loss of 136 posts from the Parliament’s Secretariat in 2016, due to the annual staff reduction and the respective increase of political group staff posts, may ~~create difficulties for~~affect the provision of services by the Parliament’s administration; calls on the Secretary- General to provide more information regarding staff reduction measures last year, and to evaluate the consequences of budgetary decisions on the functioning of the institution;

Amendment 142 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Welcomes, in light of these reduction measures, the proposal to convert 50 permanent AST posts into 50 permanent AD posts, which has a negligent budgetary impact; notes in addition, the proposal to convert three temporary AST posts into three temporary AD post’s in the President’s cabinet;deleted

Amendment 143 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. ~~Welcomes, in light of these reduction measures,~~Regrets the proposal to convert 50 permanent AST posts into 50 permanent AD posts~~, which has a negligent budgetary impact; notes in addition,~~; condemns moreover the proposal to convert three temporary AST posts into three temporary AD post’s in the President’s cabinet;

Amendment 144 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Welcomes, in light of these staff reduction measures, the proposal to convert 50 permanent AST posts into 50 permanent AD posts, which has a negligent budgetary impact; notes in addition, the proposal to convert three temporary AST posts into three temporary AD post’s in the President’'s cabinet;

Amendment 145 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. ~~Welcomes, in light of these reduction measures,~~Notes the proposal to convert 50 permanent AST posts into 50 permanent AD posts, which has a ~~negligent~~ budgetary impact, albeit limited; notes in addition, the proposal to convert three temporary AST posts into three temporary AD post’s in the President’s cabinet;

Amendment 146 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)

31 a. Calls on the Bureau to ensure that APA's social and pension rights are respected and that financial means are made available, in particular concerning those APAs that have been employed by MEPs without interruption for the last two legislative parliamentary terms; in this regard, invites the administration to put forward a proposal that takes into account the decision to have early election in 2014, as well as the time spent in the recruitment procedure when calculating the 10 years of service period set out in the Staff Regulations;

Amendment 147 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)

31 a. Believes that, in a period in which the financial and personnel resources available to the Union institutions are likely to be increasingly constrained, it is important that the institutions themselves are able to recruit and retain the most able staff to meet the complex challenges ahead in a way consistent with the principles of performance based budgeting;

Amendment 148 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

~~32.~~ Considers that interpretation and ~~32.~~ translation are essential to the functioning of the House and acknowledges the quality and added value of services provided by the interpreters; re-iterates Parliament’'s position expressed in its abovementioned resolution of 14 April 2016 that the Secretary-General should make further rationalisation proposals, such as extending the use of translation and interpretation on demand, particularly for Intergroups of the European Parliament, as well as examining the potential efficiency gains from utilising latest language technologies, and assessing the impact of the revised framework for staff interpreters in improving resource- efficiency and productivity;

Amendment 149 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Considers that interpretation and translation are essential to the functioning of the House; re-iterates Parliament’s position expressed in its abovementioned resolution of 14 April 2016 that the Secretary-General should make further rationalisation proposals, such as extending the use of translation and interpretation on demand, as well as examining the potential efficiency gains from utilising latest language technologies as a helping tool for interpreters and not a measure to substitute human resources, and assessing the impact of the revised framework for staff interpreters in improving resource- efficiency and productivity;

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that the amount set aside for extraordinary investment and expenditure in 2018 is EUR 47,6 million, maintaining the same level as in 2017; ~~considers that~~questions whether the 2019 communication campaign ought to ~~not~~ be considered as extraordinary expenditure;

Amendment 150 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Considers that interpretation and translation are ~~essenti~~paramount to the effectiveness and pivotal to the functioning of the House; re-iterates Parliament’s position expressed in its abovementioned resolution of 14 April 2016 that the Secretary-General should make further rationalisation efforts and proposals, such as extending the use of translation and interpretation on demand, as well as examining the potential efficiency gains from utilising and investing on latest language technologies, and assessing the impact of the revised framework for staff interpreters in improving resource- efficiency and productivity;

Amendment 151 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. ~~Welcomes the continuation of~~Notes the measures taken by the Parliament to introduce Irish as a full official language by 1 January 2021; notes in this regard that no further posts will be required in 2018; nevertheless ~~ask~~invites the Secretary-General to continue to consult Irish Members with a view to possible resource-efficiencies, without compromising the guaranteed rights of Members;

Amendment 152 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)

33 a. Recalls the decision taken by Parliament to establish interpretation in International Sign language for all plenary debates in order to make at least these accessible to all European citizens;

Amendment 153 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Urges the Secretary-General to build on the existing cooperation agreements between the Parliament, the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee, with a view to maximising synergies by identifying other areas in which back office functions could be shared; calls in addition, for the Secretary- General to undertake a study on possible proposals on synergies in back office functions and services that can also be made between the Parliament, the Commission and the Council and consequently proceed with initiating the establishment of the respective cooperation agreements;

Amendment 154 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Urges the Secretary-General to build on the existing cooperation agreements between the Parliament, the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee, with a view to identifying other areas in which back office functions could be ~~shar~~reduced; calls in addition, for the Secretary-General to undertake a study on possible synergies in back office functions and services that can also be made between the Parliament, the Commission and the Council;

Amendment 155 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)

34 a. Notes with concern that the internalisation of Parliament's driver service not only considerably increases Parliament's expenses for 2018 by more than EUR 3,68 million compared to pre- internalisation numbers, but did not provide job security for long-serving drivers, some of whom have passed the entry exam and have not been recruited;

Amendment 156 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)

34 a. Requests that when awarding new managerial posts in Parliament, a balance which reflects both geographical and gender distribution of such positions should be sought;

Amendment 157 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 b (new)

34 b. Regrets the absence of a unit equivalent to EMAS covering social issues, notably in the establishment of contractual procedures in public procurement in which the European institutions take part and in order to guarantee a control on the execution of contracts; calls for the establishment of a such a unit within the Parliament;

Amendment 158 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 c (new)

34 c. Calls on the Bureau to evaluate and, where necessary revise, the rules governing the statute of trainees, including introducing minimum remuneration and harmonising catering- related price offers for all trainees both in the Parliament's administration and in the Members' offices in order to ensure equal treatment and to protect social rights of trainees;

Amendment 159 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 d (new)

34 d. Call on the Bureau to revise the rules related to APAs in consultation with the APA Committee, and to implement a dismissal procedure by mutual consent between Members and APAs

Amendment 16 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Note~~Regrets that the amount set aside for extraordinary investment and expenditure in 2018 is EUR 47,6 million, the same level as in 2017; considers that ~~the 2019 communication campaign ought to not be considered as extraordinary expenditure~~extraordinary expenditure should be used only as a last resort for exceptional occurrences;

Amendment 160 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Notes that the proposed expenditure relating to political parties amounts to EUR 32,4 million and the proposed expenditure relating to political foundations amounts to EUR 19,3 million, totalling EUR 51,8 million or 2,6% of the Parliament’s budget for 2018;deleted

Amendment 161 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. ~~Note~~Regrets that the proposed expenditure relating to political parties amounts to EUR 32,4 million and the proposed expenditure relating to political foundations amounts to EUR 19,3 million, totalling EUR 51,8 million or 2,6% of the Parliament’s budget for 2018;

Amendment 162 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. ~~Notes that~~Condemns the 2018 augmentation of the approp~~osed expenditure relating to political parties amounts to EUR 32,4 million and the proposed expenditure relating to~~riations for the funding of European political parties and European political foundations, reaching a global amount~~s to~~ of EUR ~~19,3 million, totalling EUR 51,8 million or 2,6% of the Parliament’s budget for~~51 770 000, which represents an increase of more than 250 % as compared to 20108;

Amendment 163 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)

35 a. Underlines that European political parties and foundations play a key role in building European political awareness and increasing citizens' understanding of the connection between the political processes at the national and European levels;

Amendment 164 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 b (new)

35 b. Recalls that European political parties and foundations contribute to forming European political awareness and expressing the will of citizens of the Union, and that those principles are rooted in Article 10 of the Treaty on European Union and Article 12(2) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union;

Amendment 165 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 c (new)

35 c. Stresses that European political parties and foundations must respect in their programmes and in their activities the values on which the Union is funded, namely respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights;

Amendment 166 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

~~36. Considers that recent controversies surrounding the funding of European political parties and political foundations have exposed weaknesses in existing management and control systems;~~deleted

Amendment 167 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

36. Considers that recent justified controversies surrounding the ad hoc interpretation of the rules regarding the funding of European political parties and political foundations have exposed weaknesses in existing management and control systems which could lead to accusations of bias; notes that those potential failings directly lead to questions on how the system of checks and balances is best served;

Amendment 168 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

36. Considers that recent controversies surrounding the funding of European political parties and political foundations have ~~expos~~showed and demonstrated weaknesses in existing management and control systems and calls for a complete annulation of those expenditures;

Amendment 169 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

36. Considers that recent controversies surrounding the funding of some European political parties and some political foundations have exposed weaknesses in existing management and control systems;

Amendment 17 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

Amendment 170 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)

36 a. Recalls that public financing provided for European political parties and foundations contributes to the stability and continuity of their activities;

Amendment 171 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37

37. Believes that the entry into force of Regulations (EU) No 1141/201415 and (EU) No 1142/201416 will provide additional control mechanisms and disillusioning bureaucratic layers, such as the requirement to register with the Authority for European political parties and political foundations; considers however that there is ~~further~~substantial room for improvement to these measures; notes that parties and foundations will begin to apply for funding under the new rules in the budgetary year 2018; believes that the fairness and the balanced and non- partisan nature of the new rules remains to be seen upon their application; __________________ 15 Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations (OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, p. 1). 16 Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1142/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 amending Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 as regards the financing of European political parties (OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, p. 28).

Amendment 172 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37

37. Believes that the entry into force of Regulations (EU) No 1141/201415 and (EU) No 1142/201416 will provide additional control mechanisms, such as the requirement to register with the Authority for European political parties and political foundations; ~~considers however that there is further room for improvement to these measures;~~ notes that parties and foundations will begin to apply for funding under the new rules in the budgetary year 2018; __________________ 15 Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations (OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, p. 1). 16 Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1142/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 amending Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 as regards the financing of European political parties (OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, p. 28).

Amendment 173 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. Highlights that a number of issues have been identified with the current system of co-financing, in which contributions and grants from the Parliament’s budget for both parties and foundations cannot exceed 85% of eligible expenditure, with the remaining 15% to be covered by own resources; notes for instance that shortfalls in membership contributions and donations are often balanced by contributions-in-kind, despite difficulties in determining both their value and their necessity in realising the work programme of a party or foundation;

Amendment 174 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. Highlights that a number of issues have been identified with the current system of co-financing, in which contributions and grants from the Parliament’s budget for both parties and foundations cannot exceed 85% of eligible expenditure, with the remaining 15% to be covered by own resources; notes for instance that shortfalls in membership contributions and donations are often balanced by contributions-in-kind~~, despite difficulties in determining both their value and their necessity in realising the work programme of a party or foundation;~~

Amendment 175 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. Highlights that ~~a number of~~certain issues have been identified with the current system of co-financing, in which contributions and grants from the Parliament’s budget for both parties and foundations cannot exceed 85% of eligible expenditure, with the remaining 15% to be covered by own resources; notes ~~for instance~~ that shortfalls in membership contributions and donations are often balanced by contributions-in- kind, despite difficulties in determining both their value and their necessity in realising the work programme of a party or foundation;

Amendment 176 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

39. Believes that European political parties and foundations should become more reliant on own resources and reduce their dependency on the Parliament’s budget; considers that the 85% upper limit of contributions or grants should be progressively lowered; maintains that an increasing reliance on own resources would lower the risk to the Parliament’s budget in recovering amounts erroneously or fraudulently spent;deleted

Amendment 177 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

Amendment 178 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

39. ~~Believes~~Supports the idea that European political parties and foundations should become more reliant on transparent own resources, including donations and membership contributions, and reduce their dependency on the Parliament’s budget; considers that the generous 85% upper limit of contributions or grants should be progressively lowered; ~~maintain~~believes that an increasing reliance on own resources ~~would lower~~is ethically justified; notes that the risk to the Parliament’s budget in recovering amounts erroneously or fraudulently spent; would also be decreased if the percentage contributions or the amounts per se also decreased; notes that any decisions on increasing reliability on own resources is based solely on an understanding of how political parties should ethically function and should not impact on the pluralistic nature of democratic participation;

Amendment 179 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Observe~~Condemns the request ~~for 75% of~~to include in the 2018 preliminary draft estimates the appropriations for the communication campaign in preparation for the 2019 elections ~~have been included in the 2018 preliminary draft estimates because most of the contracts will be signed in 2018~~; deplores the waste of taxpayers' money in a propaganda campaign for the exclusive benefit of the Union system;

Amendment 180 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

39. Believes that ~~European political parties and foundations should become more reliant on own resources and reduce their dependency on the Parliament’s budget; considers that~~increasing the ~~85%~~ upper limit of contributions or grants ~~should be progressively lowered; maintains that an increasing reliance on own resources would lower the risk to the Parliament’s budget in recovering amounts erroneously~~for European political parties and foundations will allow an increased accountability of European political parties towards the Parliament; considers that 95 % should be the upper limit of contributions or fgra~~udulently spe~~nts;

Amendment 181 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

39. Believes that European political parties and foundations should become ~~more~~totally reliant on own resources and ~~reduce~~cut their dependency on the Parliament’s budget; considers that ~~the 85% upper~~any limit of contributions or grants should be ~~progressively lowered~~totally cut; maintains that ~~an increasing~~only a complete reliance on own resources would ~~lower~~eliminate the risk to the Parliament’'s budget in recovering amounts erroneously or fraudulently spent;

Amendment 182 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)

39 a. Urges the Secretary-General to build on the existing cooperation agreements between the Parliament, the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee, with a view to identifying other areas in which back office functions could be partially or fully shared; calls in addition, for the Secretary-General to undertake a study on possible synergies in back office functions and services that can also be made between the Parliament, the Commission and the Council;

Amendment 183 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40

40. Notes the ongoing dialogue between the European Parliament and national parliaments; calls onfor this to be s~~trengthened in order to develop a better understanding of the contribution of the European Parliament and the Union in Member States~~ignificantly strengthened and further normalised;

Amendment 184 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 a (new)

40 a. regrets the high cost of the Parliament information offices located within the Union and in Washington; asks for a substantial reduction in the costs related to the 36 EP information offices through their merger with national parliaments;

Amendment 185 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41

41. Notes the request for external studies and opinions in order to support the work of committees and other political bodies in analysing the possible impact of Brexit, including the budgetary consequences for Parliament; questions the necessity to call for external studies and opinions instead of having recourse to the wealth of research services within the Parliament; emphasises that until the negotiations on the UK’'s exit from the Union are concluded the UK remains a full member of the Union and all the rights and obligations of membership remain in force; underlines therefore that the decision of the UK to withdraw from the Union is unlikely to have an impact on the Parliament’'s 2018 budget;

Amendment 186 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41

41. Notes the request for external studies and opinions in order to support the work of committees and other political bodies in analysing the possible impact of Brexit; emphasises that until the negotiations on the UK’s exit from the Union are concluded the UK remains a full member of the Union and all the rights and obligations of membership ~~remain~~as stipulated by the Treaties and other agreements remain fully binding and in force; ~~underline~~expects therefore that the ~~decision of the UK to withdraw from the Union is un~~UK's withdrawal procedures are not likely to have an impact on the Parliament’s ~~2018~~ budget effective on 2018;

Amendment 187 #

Alain LAMASSOURE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42

42. Recalls Parliament’s resolution of 20 November 2013 on the location of the seats of the European Union’s Institutions17 , which estimated the costs of the geographic dispersion of the Parliament to be between EUR 156 million and EUR 204 million and equivalent to 10% of the Parliament's budget; emphasises the environmental impact of the geographic dispersion is estimated to be between 11,000 to 19,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions; underlines the negative public perception caused by this dispersion, and therefore reiterates its position in calling for a roadmap to a single seat; __________________ 17 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0498.deleted

Amendment 188 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42

Amendment 189 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42

42. Recalls Parliament’'s resolution of 20 November 2013 on the location of the seats of the European Union’'s Institutions17~~, which~~; regrets that the estimated ~~the~~ costs of the geographic dispersion of the Parliament ~~to b~~are between EUR 156 million and EUR 204 million and equivalent to 10% of the Parliament's budget; emphasises the environmental impact of the geographic dispersion is estimated to be between 11,000 to 19,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions; underlines the negative public perception caused by this dispersion, and therefore firmly reiterates its position in calling for a roadmap to a single seat to be discussed at the next Treaty revision and no later than 2020; underlines that a single seat solution would allow important savings with regard to the costs related to the missions of Members and staff , on which firmly recalls transparency and an appropriate practice; __________________ 17 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0498.

Amendment 19 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Emphasises that the largest part of Parliament's budget is fixed by statutory or contractual obligations and is subject to annual indexation; in this regard, calls for an annual indexation based on an average of the current indexation rate of all Member States and underlines that the annual indexation should not be applied to the salaries of Members or to salaries of Union staff members with the same or higher wage; calls for a 15 % reduction tothe M monthly salaries of Members, as well as to their daily allowances in order to give a strong signal to European citizens, who are facing a difficult economic, social and historical moment, and to progressively reduce the current negative perception of the Union politics;

Amendment 190 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42

42. Recalls Parliament’s resolution of 20 November 2013 on the location of the seats of the European Union’s Institutions17, which estimated the costs of the geographic dispersion of the Parliament to be between EUR 156 million and EUR 204 million and equivalent to 10% of the Parliament's budget; emphasises the environmental impact of the geographic dispersion is estimated to be between 11,000 to 19,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions; believes that there is an impact on both the productivity and the effective and rational functioning of Parliament; underlines the negative public perception caused by this dispersion~~, and therefore~~; reiterates its position in calling for a mutually agreed roadmap to a single seat; __________________ 17 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0498.

Amendment 191 #

Paul RÜBIG, Monika HOHLMEIER, Sabine VERHEYEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 a (new)

42 a. Questions the added value of the Parliament's information offices, taking into account, in particular, the huge increase in related expenditure as compared to budget 2017;

Amendment 192 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43

43. Continues to question the added value of the LUX Prize, particularly given that the participants in a survey to determine the awareness and perception of the prize were largely limited to Members and film-makers;deleted

Amendment 193 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43

Amendment 194 #

Jens GEIER, Petra KAMMEREVERT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43

43. ~~Continues to question the added value of the LUX Prize, particularly given that the participants in a survey to determine the awareness and perception of the prize were largely limited to Memb~~Recalls the importance of the LUX Prize as a tool to support European cinema as well as to enhance debate and reflection on Europe and its future; believes at the same time that the added value of the LUX Prize, particularly public awareness and perception of the prize, could be further increased; considers the dedicated budget howevers a~~nd film-makers~~dequate;

Amendment 195 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43

43. Continues to stably question the added value of the LUX Prize, particularly given that ~~the participants in a survey to determine the awareness and perception~~awareness of the prize ~~were~~is largely limited to some Members and film-makers;

Amendment 196 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43

43. C~~ontinues to question~~alls for the further boosting of the added value of the LUX Prize, particularly given that the participants in a survey to determine the awareness and perception of the prize were largely limited to Members and film-makers;

Amendment 197 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)

43a. Sees no added value in financially supporting the European Parliamentary Association;

Amendment 198 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)

43 a. Recalls Parliament's resolution of 14 April 20161a on Parliament's estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2017; asks the implementation of a cooperation with television stations, social media and further partners in order to establish a European media-hub for training purposes for young journalists; __________________ 1a Texts adopted, P8_TA- PROV(2016)0132.

Amendment 199 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 b (new)

43 b. Therefore allocates EUR 800 000 on the Article 326 European Science Media Hub;

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas additional extraordinary investments of EUR 47,6 million ~~are required~~have been proposed by the Secretary-General to reinforce security projects, provide lease payments to the ADENAUER building project and launch the communication campaign in preparation for the 2019 elections;

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Emphasis~~Notes that the largest part of Parliament's budget is fixed by statutory or contractual obligations ~~and is~~, subject to annual indexation; asks therefore for a revision of the Statute for Members and the Staff Regulations in order to abolish unacceptable benefits;

Amendment 200 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44

44. Considers that further savings can be made on furniture expenditure, ~~given~~and deplores the large increase from the 2016 outturn to the 2017 budget, which has not only been maintained but slightly increased to EUR 6,18 million in 2018;

Amendment 201 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 a (new)

44a. Believes that the activities of the Association of former Members should be financed by current or former members taking in interest in that association;

Amendment 202 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45

45. Calls upon the Secretary-General and the Bureau to instil a culture of performance-based budgeting across Parliament’'s administration, following the positive example already put into practice by the Directorate-General for Finance (DG FINS); urges all parties involved in the drafting of the Parliament's estimates to identify negative priorities in order to free up spending for the Parliament's core responsibilities; considers this exercise particularly vital in the context of Parliament key funcin line with the lean management approach in order to enhance efficiency and quality in the institution's ~~to legislate, represent citizens and scrutinise the work of other institutions~~internal work;

Amendment 203 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45

45. Calls upon the Secretary-General and the Bureau to instil a culture of performance-based budgeting across Parliament’s administration, following the positive example already put into practice by the Directorate-General for Finance (DG FINS); urges all parties involved in the drafting of the Parliament's estimates to identify negative priorities in order to identify money savings and to free up spending for the Parliament's core responsibilities; considers this exercise particularly vital in the context of Parliament key functions to legislate, represent citizens and scrutinise the work of other institutions;

Amendment 204 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45

45. Calls upon the Secretary-General and the Bureau to instil a culture of cost effectiveness and performance-based budgeting across Parliament’s administration, following the positive example already put into practice by the Directorate-General for Finance (DG FINS); ~~urg~~invites all parties involved in the drafting of the Parliament's estimates to identify and propose negative priorities in order to free up spending for the Parliament's core responsibilities; considers this exercise particularly vital in the context of maintaining Parliament's role, key functions ~~to legislate, represent citizens and scrutinise the work of other institution~~and overarching aims;

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Emphasis~~Underlines that the largest part of Parliament's budget is regularly fixed by statutory or contractual obligations and is subject to annual indexation;

Amendment 22 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Underlines the Parliament’s key functions are to ~~legislate, represent citizens and scru~~represent citizens, co- legislate, scrutinise the work of other Union institutions and certain agencies and bodies, nominally approve decisions of the Commission and the Council and legitinmise the ~~work of other institu~~College of Commissioners, while the core aim of parliamentary services is to fully support all the elected representatives in their work with respect to the aforementioned functions;

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Highlights Parliament's role in building European political awareness and promoting the Union values;

Amendment 24 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Stresses that savings compared to the proposal of the Secretary-General are required ~~in areas which are not related to these key functions,~~ and all efforts to strive for a more efficient use of public money are strongly encouraged;

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Stresses that savings compared to the proposal of the Secretary-General are required in areas which are not related to these key functions, and all efforts to strive for a more efficient and much reduced use of public money are strongly encouraged;

Amendment 26 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Stresses that savings compared to the proposal of the Secretary-General are required in areas which are not related to these key functions, and all efforts to strive for a more efficient and transparent use of public money are strongly encouraged;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Stresses that savings compared to the proposal of the Secretary-General are required in areas which are not related to these key functions~~, and all~~ and aims, and all effective efforts to strive for a more efficient use of public money are s~~trongly encourag~~upported;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Welcom~~Acknowledges the response to the request from the Committee on Budgets, in its resolution of 14 April 2016 on Parliament’s estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 20178 , and repeated in its resolution on the Council’s position on the draft general budget of the Union for the financial year 20179 , concerning medium and long-term budgetary planning, including a clear distinction between investments and operational expenditure relating to the functioning of Parliament as well as its statutory obligations (including on rents and acquisitions); __________________ 8 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0132. 9 Texts adopted , P8_TA(2016)0411.

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Welcomes the creation of a working group on the procedures establishing the Parliament’s estimates of revenue and expenditure; notes that Parliament has called for consideration to be given to a further revision of the Rules regarding internal budgetary procedures10 ; underlines the need for Members of the Bureau and the Committee on Budgets to receive unhindered relevant information relating to the estimates procedure in a timely and intelligible manner and with the necessary level of detail, in order to allow the Bureau and the Committee on Budgets to take prompt and appropriate decisions with a comprehensive picture of the state and needs of Parliament's budget; __________________ 10 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0484. Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0484.

Amendment 3 #

Richard ASHWORTH

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas almost 68% of the budget is index bound expenditure which relates mainly to remunerations and allowances for Members and staff, as well as to buildings, which is adjusted according to the Staff Regulations ~~and contractual obligations, on the basis of sector specific indexation that is usually higher than the standard~~, to sector specific indexation or to the inflation rate;

Amendment 30 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Reiterates its call on the Secretary- General to make a proposal for presenting the budget to the general public in appropriate detail and in an intelligible and user-friendly manner on the website of the Parliament in order to enable all citizens to develop a better understanding of Parliament's activities, priorities and corresponding spending patterns;deleted

Amendment 31 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Reiterates its call on the Secretary- General to make, without undue delay, a proposal for presenting the budget to the general public in appropriate detail and in an intelligible and user-friendly manner on the website of the Parliament in order to ~~enable all citizens to~~support citizens on making informed political decisions and further enable them to scrutinise and develop a better understanding of Parliament's activities, priorities and corresponding spending patterns;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Considers visitor groups to be one of the key instruments in increasing the awareness of citizens about Parliament's activities; welcomes the revised rules for visitors groups, and considers that the risk of misappropriation of funds has decreased due to the implementation of the new and stricter rules; in this light, invites the Bureau, together with its Working Group on Information and Communication, to revise the appropriations for Member's visitor groups, taking into account inflation rates in recent years which have consequently increased the cost of such visits; considers that, although those amounts are not meant to cover all the costs incurred by visitors groups, but rather to be considered as a subsidy, the fact that the proportion of costs covered will diminish if the allowance is not adjusted according to inflation, cannot be ignored; asks the Bureau to take into account that this discrepancy disproportionately affects visitor groups from less affluent socio- economic backgrounds who have very limited financial means of their own;

Amendment 33 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Takes note of the ongoing measures to continue to empower Parliament's security, relating to buildings, equipment and staff, cyber-security and communication security; requests the Secretary-General and the Bureau to carry on the Global Security Concept to continue to provide structural, operational and cultural improvements in Parliament's security; reiterates the need to improve the performance of IT services provided to the Parliament by investing in the training of staff, but also by better selecting contractors based on a stronger evaluation of their services and IT capacity;

Amendment 34 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. ~~Takes note of~~Welcomes the ongoing ~~meas~~endeavoures to ~~continue to~~ empower Parliament's security, relating to buildings, equipment and staff, cyber- security and communication security; requests the Secretary-General and the Bureau to ~~carry on~~persevere with the Global Security Concept to continue to provide structural, operational and cultural improvements in Parliament's security;

Amendment 35 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Takes note of the ongoing measures to ~~continue to~~ empower Parliament's security, relating to buildings, equipment and staff, cyber- security and communication security; requests the Secretary-General and the Bureau to carry on the Global Security Concept to continue to provide structural, operational and cultural improvements in Parliament's security;

Amendment 36 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Believes that ~~recent events demonstrate~~ the likelihood of cyber- attacks is constant and persistent, while the impact of potential effects has increased ~~drama~~substantically, with the technology behind such attacks often outpacing the cybersecurity measures to combat them; considers that IT tools have become important instruments for Members and staff to carry out their ~~work~~political functions, but are nevertheless vulnerable to such attacks; welcomes therefore the embedding of cybersecurity in Parliament’s overall strategic management framework, and considers this will ~~enabl~~improve the institution ~~to better protect its assets and information~~'s capacity to withstand such attacks and better protect its assets and information; warns that the Parliament will nevertheless remain vulnerable to a sustained organised attack, especially one with subversive intent;

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Considers that despite the installation of SECure EMail system (SECEM) the Parliament is unable to receive restricted and non-classified briefings from other institutions; notes that Parliament is not in a position to develop its own Classified Information System (CIS) alone and negotiations are ongoing with other institutions on this matter; invites the Secretary-General to present to the Committee on Budgets more information regarding the ~~ongoing~~latest developments of these negotiations, before the Parliament's reading of the budget in autumn 2017 in order to identify the best means of enabling Parliament to receive restricted and non-classified briefings;

Amendment 38 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Considers that despite the installation of SECure EMail system (SECEM) the Parliament is nevertheless unable to receive restricted and non- classified briefings from other institutions; notes that Parliament is not in a position to develop its own Classified Information System (CIS) alone ~~and~~; requests ongoing negotiations ~~are ongoing~~ with other institutions on this matter to intensify; invites the Secretary- General to pre~~sen~~port to the Committee on Budgets ~~more information~~ regarding the ongoing negotiations, before the Parliament's reading of the budget in autumn 2017;

Amendment 39 #

Monika HOHLMEIER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. ~~Consider~~Regrets that despite the installation of SECure EMail system (SECEM) the Parliament is unable to receive restricted and non-classified briefings from other institutions; ~~not~~deplores that Parliament is not in a position to develop its own Classified Information System (CIS) alone and negotiations are ongoing with other institutions on this matter; invites the Secretary-General to present to the Committee on Budgets more information regarding the ongoing negotiations, before the Parliament's reading of the budget in autumn 2017;

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)

F a. Whereas the European Parliament report entitled "Women in the European Parliament", issued on 8 March 2017 on the occasion of International Women's Day shows a gender imbalance in managerial posts in the European Parliament, with 83,3 % of Parliament's Deputy Secretary-General and Directors- General positions being held by men and 16,7 % by women, 70,2 % of Parliament's Director positions being held by men and 29,8 % by women, and 65,9 % Parliament's Heads of Unit positions being held by men and 29,8 % by women;

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12 a. Welcomes the efforts to further digitise and computerise procedures; in this regard, encourages the introduction of more possibilities for the use of secure digital signature in administrative procedures in order to reduce the use of paper and save time;

Amendment 41 #

Gérard DEPREZ, Nedzhmi ALI, Louis MICHEL, Jean ARTHUIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Welcomes the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Belgian Government and the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the European External Action Service, and other institutions based in Brussels, on security verifications for all external contractors’ staff wishing to access the Union institutions; regrets that that Memorandum of Understanding was signed after the driver service had been internalised for safety reasons; invites the Secretary-General to consider the advisability of extending the application of this Memorandum of Understanding to officials and parliamentary assistants in order to allow the necessary security verifications before their recruitment;

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. ~~Welcom~~Notes the signature of a multilateral Memorandum of Understanding between the Belgian Government and the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the European External Action Service, and other institutions based in Brussels, on comprehensive security verifications for all external contractors’ staff ~~wishing to~~prior to fully accessing the Union institutions;

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13 a. Calls on the Secretary-General to present a proposal in order to continue the internalisation effort for services deemed necessary, in particular in order to guarantee the role of legislative excellence of the Parliament and assistance to Members and staff, or to reinforce cyber-security of the Parliament and the teams working on the development of IT tools and software specifically for the Parliament;

Amendment 45 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13 a. Deplores the Bureau decision to approve the creation of a new protection unit, composed of 12 body guards for the President and 35 armed security officials; considers that the security system outside Parliament's premises should continue to be guaranteed by the Belgian authorities;

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13 a. Regrets the decision to provide the President of the European Parliament with a close protection service composed of 12 body guards; asks for a revision of that decision;

Amendment 47 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Recalls that the last mid-term building strategy was adopted by the Bureau in 2010; questions, with much regret, why the Bureau has miserably failed to present a long-term strategy for Parliament buildings during this legislature, despite the Parliament’s previous robust resolutions; invites the Secretary- General and Vice-Presidents to present in good faith to the Committee on Budgets the new mid- term strategy on buildings as soon as possible, before the Parliament's reading of the budget in autumn 2017;

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Reiterates its call for a more transparent decision-making and implementation process in the field of buildings policy, based on early information, having due regard to Article 203 of the Financial Regulation; calls in this regard for more information on the extension of the WAYENBERG crèche;

Amendment 49 #

Monika HOHLMEIER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Calls for more information on the project to renovate the Paul Henri Spaak (PHS) building, ~~specifically any opinions from external contractors on the necessity to renovate the building, which has had a short 25-year lifespan~~which has had a short lifespan of 25 years; underlines that the existing building doesn't fulfil the static requirements of a public building for parliamentary functions which has higher security and needs to withstand external shocks without collapsing; criticises the fact that the PHS building doesn't fulfil even minimum standards of modern static requirements and notes that several actions have already had to be taken to guarantee its stability; urges therefore the Bureau and the administration of the Parliament to work on future solutions for the new PHS building that secures life and healthy working conditions of the persons present; is therefore in favour of commissioning an independent expert study that should analyse the possible options for the new PHS; calls on the Secretary-General to present the results of such a study to the Committee on Budgets as soon as possible; notes the level of appropriations proposed by the Secretary- General in 2018 concerning studies, preparatory projects and works, and the provision of assistance to the project management team; ~~expresses concern at the possible confusion regarding the amounts to be spent on studies and removals; urges~~calls on the Bureau and Secretary- General to inform the Committee on Budgets on all subsequent steps and to provide a clear breakdown of costs as soon as possible;

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)

F b. Whereas the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union places an obligation on the Union to respect linguistic diversity and prohibits discrimination on grounds of language, thus giving the right to any Union citizen to use any of the 24 official Union languages when corresponding with Union institutions, which are obliged to reply in the same language;

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Calls for more information on the project to renovate the Paul Henri Spaak (PHS) building, specifically any opinions from external contractors on the necessity to renovate the building, which has had a short 25-year lifespan; notes the level of appropriations proposed by the Secretary- General in 2018 concerning studies, preparatory projects and works, and the provision of assistance to the project management team; expresses concern at the possible confusion regarding the amounts to be spent on studies and removals; urges the Bureau and Secretary- General to inform the Committee on Budgets on all subsequent steps and provide a clear breakdown of costs as soon as possible; calls for an assessment on how the renovation will impact the visitors and seminars unit, the availability of the plenary chamber as well the other rooms and offices;

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Calls for more information on the project to renovate the Paul Henri Spaak (PHS) building, specifically any opinions from external contractors on the necessity to renovate the building, which has had a short 25-year lifespan; ~~note~~regrets the level of appropriations proposed by the Secretary- General in 2018 concerning studies, preparatory projects and works, and the provision of assistance to the project management team; expresses concern at the possible confusion regarding the amounts to be spent on studies and removals; urges the Bureau and Secretary- General to inform the Committee on Budgets on all subsequent steps and provide a clear breakdown of costs as soon as possible; asks for a new independent estimate of the expected costs and not to take in charge the foreseen amount proposed by the Bureau on 3 February 2017;

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Calls for more information on the project to renovate the Paul Henri Spaak (PHS) building, specifically any opinions from external contractors on the necessity to renovate the building, which his presented as hadving a short 25-year lifespan; notes the level of appropriations proposed by the Secretary- General in 2018 concerning studies, preparatory projects and works, and the provision of assistance to the project management team; expresses concern at the possible confusion regarding the amounts to be spent on studies and removals; urges the Bureau and Secretary- General to inform the Committee on Budgets on all subsequent steps and provide a clear breakdown of costs as soon as possible; recalls that, in any case, there is a need to implement state-of-the art energy efficient architecture;

Amendment 53 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Calls for substantially more information on the project to renovate the Paul Henri Spaak (PHS) building, specifically any opinions from external contractors on the necessity to renovate the building, which has had a short 25-year lifespan; notes the level of appropriations proposed by the Secretary- General in 2018 concerning studies, preparatory projects and works, and the provision of assistance to the project management team; expresses major concern at the possible confusion regarding the amounts to be spent on studies and removals; urges the Bureau and Secretary- General to appropriately and comprehensively inform the Committee on Budgets on all subsequent steps and provide a clear breakdown of costs as soon as possible;

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

Amendment 55 #

Gérard DEPREZ, Nedzhmi ALI, Louis MICHEL, Jean ARTHUIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Considers 2018 to be a critical year for the Konrad Adenauer (KAD) building, as it will mark the end of the work on the East site and the start of work on the West site; notes that the budget allocated to cover the management of this large-scale project has had to be revised in order to strengthen the teams which monitor the progress of the work; ~~notes~~draws attention to the on-going practice of using the year-end ‘'mopping up transfer’' (ramassage) to contribute to current building projects; considers that while this may be a pragmatic solution to reduce interest rate payments, it nevertheless exists in tension with the transparency of building projects within the Parliament’'s budget and could even incentivise over-budgeting in certain areas; highlights, on the basis of the figures for the years 2014, 2015 and 2016, that the year-end 'mopping up transfer' (ramassage) takes place systematically on the same chapters and titles and, with a few exceptions, exactly on the same lines; wonders, therefore, whether there is a programmed overvaluation of those chapters and lines in order to generate funds for the financing of buildings policy;

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Considers 2018 to be a critical year for the Konrad Adenauer (KAD) building, as it will mark the end of the work on the East site and the start of work on the West site; notes that the budget allocated to cover the management of this large-scale project has had to be revised in order to strengthen the teams which monitor the progress of the work; notes the on-going practice of using the year-end ‘mopping up transfer’ (ramassage) to contribute to current building projects; considers that while this may be a pragmatic solution to reduce interest rate payments, it nevertheless exists in tension with the transparency of building projects within the Parliament’s budget and could even incentivise over-budgeting in certain areas; calls for the use of ramassage to be stopped and for the presentation of realistic estimates of expected expenditures;

Amendment 57 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Considers 2018 to be a critical year for the Konrad Adenauer (KAD) building, as it will mark the end of the work on the East site and the start of work on the West site; notes with concern that the budget allocated to cover the management of this large-scale project has had to be revised in order to strengthen the teams which monitor the progress of the work; notes the on-going practice of using the year-end ‘'mopping up transfer’' (ramassage) to contribute to current building projects; considers that while this may be a pragmatic solution to reduce interest rate payments, it nevertheless exists in tension with the transparency of building projects within the Parliament’'s budget and could even incentivise over-budgeting in certain areas;

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17 a. Stresses the high price of renovation studies, taking into consideration the fact that the budget for studies on renovating the PHS building is estimated at EUR 14 080 million whilst the available budget for finalising works at the KAD building is estimated at EUR 33 890 million;

Amendment 6 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas the credibility and moral integrity of Parliament as one arm of the budgetary authority admittedly depends to a large extent on its ability to ~~bring~~effectively manage its ~~own~~ spending ~~under control~~within budgetary provisions;

Amendment 60 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Invites the Vice-Presidents responsible and the Secretary-General to present to the Committee on Budgets a progress report and estimates for finalising the works on the KAD building;

Amendment 61 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Invites the Vice-Presidents responsible and the Secretary-General to pr~~esen~~omptly report to the Committee on Budgets awith a full progress report on the KAD building;

Amendment 62 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4 a (new)

EMAS

Amendment 63 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18 a. Recalls that Parliament committed to a 30 % reduction per FTE in its CO2 emissions by 2020 compared to 2006;

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)

18 b. Deems it of utmost importance, therefore, that Parliament sets itself new, more challenging, quantitative targets that should be regularly measured by the responsible services; notes in this regard the 2015 Bureau decision to offset the total amount of Parliament's carbon emissions, including emissions from flights by Members between their country of origin and Parliament's working places;

Amendment 65 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)

18 c. Welcomes the installation of the inter-institutional helpdesk on green public procurement, which now has to be fully implemented by setting clear targets in the field, as well as stepping up efforts in internal information, promotion and effective governance on green public procurement; underlines that sub- contracted service providers must also comply with those rules; in this regard, deplores the high use of plastic bottles, cups, containers and packaging in Parliament;

Amendment 66 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 d (new)

18 d. Recalls the Parliament commitment of Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency which stipulates that it will, "without prejudice to applicable budgetary and procurement rules, undertake to apply the same requirements to the buildings they own and occupy as those applicable to the buildings of Member States' central government under Articles 5 and 6" of that Directive, due to the high visibility of the buildings and the leading role it should play with regard to buildings' energy performance; underlines the urgency of compliance with this declaration, not at least for its own credibility in the currently ongoing revisions of the energy performance of buildings and the energy efficiency directives;

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 e (new)

18 e. Welcomes the creation of a Mobility Working Group which should work inclusively and be clearly mandated; underlines that Parliament has to conform with all regional applicable laws at the places of work, including in that area; advocates the promotion of use of the established direct train connection between the Brussels Parliament site and the airport; invites the responsible services to re-evaluate the composition and size of its own vehicle fleet against this background; calls on the Bureau to establish without delay an incentive scheme for promoting the use of bicycles for home-work commuting; notes that such a scheme is already established in other institutions, notably the European Economic and Social Committee;

Amendment 68 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 5

~~Communication campaign for the 2019 European elections~~deleted

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Welcomes the communication campaign as a helpful effort to explain the purpose of the Union and the Parliament to the citizens; underlines, however, that this campaign should be limited to explaining the role of the European Union and the Parliament;deleted

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)

H a. whereas the credibility of the Parliament depends to a large extent on its ability to develop democracy at Union level;

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. ~~Welcome~~Rejects the communication campaign as a helpful effort to explain the purpose of the Union and the Parliament to the citizens; underlines, however, that this campaign should be limited to explaining the role of the European Union and the Parliament;

Amendment 71 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. ~~Welcomes the communication campaign as a helpful effort to explain the purpose of the Union and the Parliament to the citizens; underlines, however, that~~Considers that EUR 33,33 million foreseen for the communication campaign in the Parliament budget will not alone help to explain the purpose of the Union and the Parliament to the citizens; insists on the need to learn from the extremely low voter turnout in the 2014 European elections and to draw adequate conclusions as regards the framing of thise campaign ~~should be limited to explaining~~for the 2019 elections; suggests, in this regard, a focus on collaboration with the roele ~~of the European Union and the Parliament~~vant Member States' electoral authorities in order to create common ownership of the European elections process;

Amendment 72 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Welcomes the communication campaign as a helpful effort to explain the purpose of the Union and the Parliament to the citizens; underlines~~, however,~~ that this campaign should ~~be limited to~~aim, among other things, at explaining the role of the European Union ~~and~~, the power of the Parliament, its functions, including the election of the President of the Commission, and its impact on the lives of citizens;

Amendment 73 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Welcomes the communication campaign as a helpful effort to explain the purpose of the Union and the Parliament to the citizens; ~~underlines, however, that this campaign should be limited to explaining the role of the European Union and the Parliament;~~

Amendment 74 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. ~~Welcom~~Notes the communication campaign as a ~~helpful effort to explain~~tool for a presentation of the purpose of the Union and the Parliament to the citizens; underlines, however, that this campaign should be largely limited to explaining the role of the European Union and the Parliament;

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

Amendment 76 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

Amendment 77 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Notes that in advance of the forthcoming 2019 European elections, preparatory work on the communication campaign is already due to begin this year; welcomes a shorter two year pre-election period for the communication campaign compared to the three year pre-election period for the 2014 European elections; considers that in order to better explain the Union and the role of the Parliament, a year-long communication campaign needs to exist during the whole mandate, not only in the year before the European elections;

Amendment 78 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Notes that in advance of the forthcoming 2019 European elections, preparatory work on the communication campaign is already due to begin this year; ~~welcomes a shorter two year pre-election period for the communication campaign compared to the three year pre-election period for the 2014 European~~that communication activities in 2018 will focus on the impact on the lives of citizens of Parliament’s work and that the first months of 2019 will see the development of those actions linked to the elections itself;

Amendment 79 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Notes that in advance of the forthcoming 2019 European elections, preparatory work on the communication campaign is already due to begin this year; ~~welcomes a~~supports the shorter two year pre-election period for the communication campaign compared to the three year pre-election period for the 2014 European elections;

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Stresses that the ~~share of~~ Parliament’'s budget in 2018 ~~should be maintained under 20% of heading V; note~~must provide for an optimisation of current resources and must also be significantly reduced through as many savings as possible; regrets that the level of preliminary draft estimates for 2018 corresponds to 19,06%, which is just barely lower than that achieved in 2017 (19,26%) ~~and the lowest part of heading V in the past nine years~~; underlines that the forecast level of inflation for 2017 should not be considered as the main benchmark for increases of ordinary expenditure; asks for substantial weighted cuts, to eliminate money waste and in order to make savings without affecting legislative work; notes that there is still space for savings in order to fully compensate the increase due to legal obligations;

Amendment 80 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Considers the total amount proposed for the communication campaign for the 2019 elections to be too high, with EUR 25 million of expenditure in 2018 and EUR 8,33 million in 2019; notes that a higher amount of financial commitments are required in 2018, nevertheless considers that the distribution of appropriations could be adjusted by lowering spending in 2018;deleted

Amendment 81 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Cstresses that the 2014 campaign for the elections promoted by the Parliament didn't provide the expected results, with a slight decrease in participation in the European elections; considers the total amount proposed for the communication campaign for the 2019 elections to be too high, with EUR 25 million of expenditure in 2018 and EUR 8,33 million in 2019; notes that a higher amount of financial commitments are required in 2018~~, nevertheless considers that the distribution of appropriations could be adjusted by lowering spending in 2018~~; asks for the total cut of the proposed amount and invites the Secretary-General to use the internal communication services to promote a cost-free web campaign on social networks;

Amendment 82 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Considers the total amount proposed for the communication campaign for the 2019 elections to be too high, with EUR 25 million of expenditure in 2018 and EUR 8,33 million in 2019; ~~notes that a higher amount of financial commitments are required in 2018, nevertheless considers that the distribution of appropriations could be adjusted by lowering spending in 2018;~~

Amendment 83 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. ~~Considers~~Takes note of the total amount proposed for the communication campaign for the 2019 elections ~~to be too high,~~ with EUR 25 million of expenditure in 2018 and EUR 8,33 million in 2019~~; notes that~~ with a higher amount of financial commitments ~~are~~ required in ~~2018, nevertheless considers that the distribution of appropriations could be adjusted by lowering spending in~~ 2018;

Amendment 84 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. ~~Consider~~Notes the total amount ~~proposed for the communication campaign for the 2019 elections to be too high, with~~for the 2019 elections communication campaign is estimated at EUR 25 million of expenditure in 2018 and EUR 8,33 million in 2019; notes that a higher amount of financial commitments are required in 2018~~, nevertheless considers that the distribution of appropri~~; highlights the importance of those communications c~~ould be adjusted by lowering spending in 2018~~ampaigns, especially taking into consideration the current situation in the Union;

Amendment 85 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. ~~Considers the total~~Highlights the fact that the amount proposed for the communication campaign ~~for the 2019 elections to be too high, with~~is EUR 25 million of expenditure in 2018 and EUR 8,33 million in 2019; notes that ~~a higher amount~~the bulk of financial commitments ~~are required in 2018, nevertheless considers that the distribution of appropriations could be adjusted by lowering spending in 2018~~occur in 2018 in order to conclude necessary contracts and focus on the campaign's implementation in the year of the election;

Amendment 86 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Believes the Directorate-General for Communication (DG COMM) should act on the recommendations from the evaluation of the 2014 European election campaign11 , and prioritise the collection of data for campaign projects, per unit, based on predefined key indicators in order to measure their impact; __________________ 11deleted Deloitte, December 2015 study.

Amendment 87 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

Amendment 88 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Believes the Directorate-General for Communication (DG COMM) should act on the recommendations from the evaluation of the 2014 European election campaign11 , and prioritise the collection of data for campaign projects, per unit, based on predefined key indicators in order to measure their impact, considering with care the root causes of the extremely low turnout in the 2014 elections; __________________ 11 Deloitte, December 2015 study.

Amendment 89 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Believes the Directorate-General for Communication (DG COMM) should a~~ct on~~dopt and implement the recommendations from the evaluation of the 2014 European election campaign11 , and prioritise the collection of data for campaign projects, per unit, based on predefined key indicators in order to measure their impact; __________________ 11 Deloitte, December 2015 study. Deloitte, December 2015 study.

Amendment 9 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Stresses that the share of Parliament’s budget in 2018 should be maintained under 20% of heading V; notes that the level of preliminary draft estimates for 2018 corresponds to 19,06%, which is lower than that achieved in 2017 (19,26%) and the lowest part of heading V in the past nine years; underlines that the forecast level of inflation for 2017 should not be considered as the main benchmark for increases of ordinary expenditureRegrets that a budget of EUR 1 971 883 373 has been proposed by the Secretary-General for Parliament's preliminary draft estimates for 2018, representing an overall increase of 3,26 % compared to the 2017 budget, which does not properly take into account the fiscal restrictions imposed in several Member States;

Amendment 90 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22 a. Calls for an increase in Article 325 ‘Expenditure relating to information offices’ and Item 3245 ‘Organisation of seminar symposia and cultural activities’ in order to also provide information about the Union and Union-policies through the activities of external stakeholders on local, regional and national level;

Amendment 91 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Welcomes the work of the Parliament’s Secretariat aimed at empowering Members in their mandates; encourages the continued development of those services which enhance Members’ ability to scrutinise the work of the Commission and Council and represent citizens;deleted

Amendment 92 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. ~~Welcomes~~Notes that the work of the Parliament’s Secretariat is also aimed at empowering all Members equally in their mandates; encourages the continued development of those services which enhance ~~Members’ ability to~~the ability of all Members to perform their expected functions, in particular scrutiniseing the work of the Commission and Council and representing citizens without prejudice;

Amendment 93 #

Manuel dos SANTOS, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Nicola CAPUTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Welcomes the work of the Parliament’s Secretariat, the Secretariats of the political groups and the offices of Members aimed at empowering Members in their mandates; encourages the continued development of those services which enhance Members’ ability to scrutinise the work of the Commission and Council and represent citizens;

Amendment 94 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. ~~Welcomes in particular the ever increasing quality of advice and research provided to Members and committees through~~Recalls that a mid-term evaluation of the efficacy of the cooperation between the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) and the policy departments~~; approves of the~~ was provided for when EPRS was created in 2013; four ~~specific projects being developed over the medium-term in the European Parliament library, namely the digital library, improved resourc~~thermore, emphasises a request to proceed to such evaluation and for the presentation of its results to the Committee on Budgets by the end of 2016 was adopted in the plenary on 14 April 2016 as part of Parliament's estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2017for; recalls that such an evaluation should have contained proposals as to how to ensure that the support provided by EPRS is better articulated with developments in the respective thematic committees and does not overlap with their activities fnor ~~research, comparative law sources and open library; considers these projects as a means to improve support to both Members and staff, as well as facilitating access to the external~~encourage competition between services; expects that the evaluation will include detailed information on the external expertise, external studies and external support for Parliament's research activities including the number and the costs of studies and expertise provided by Parliament's internal services and external providers; requests the results of the evaluation to be provided to the Committee on Budgets by mid-2017 at the latest; takes note of the four specific projects being proposed by the Secretary-General to develop over the medium-term in the Parliament library, namely the digital library, improved resources for research, com~~munity and citizens;~~ parative law sources and open library;

Amendment 95 #

Gérard DEPREZ, Nedzhmi ALI, Louis MICHEL, Jean ARTHUIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Welcomes in particular the ever increasing quality of advice and research provided to Members and committees through the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) and the policy departments; recalls that a mid-term evaluation of the efficacy of the cooperation between the European EPRS and the policy departments was provided for when the EPRS was created in 2013; requests once again the Secretary- General to proceed to undertake such an evaluation and present to the Committee on Budgets its results before the Parliament's reading of the budget in autumn 2017; approves of the four specific projects being developed over the medium- term in the European Parliament library, namely the digital library, improved resources for research, comparative law sources and open library; considers these projects as a means to improve support to both Members and staff, as well as facilitating access to the external research community and citizens;

Amendment 96 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Welcomes in particular the ever increasing quality of advice and research provided to Members and committees through the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) and the policy departments; approves of the four specific projects being developed over the medium- term in the European Parliament library, namely the digital library, improved resources for research, comparative law sources and open library; considers these projects as a means to improve support to both Members and staff, as well as facilitating access to the external research community and citizens; notes the importance of these projects and the need to integrate them in the legislative work done by Members and staff members;

Amendment 97 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. ~~Welcomes in particular the ever increasing quality of~~Notes the advice and research provided to Members and committees through the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) and the policy departments; approves of the four specific projects being developed over the medium- term in the European Parliament library, namely the digital library, improved resources for research, comparative law sources and open library; considers these projects as a means to improve support to both Members and staff, as well as facilitating access to the external research community and citizens; notes the need to maintain the corpus of the provided research and advice organised in a user- friendly and easily accessible manner;

Amendment 98 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Welcomes ~~in particular the ever increasing~~ quality of advice and research provided to Members and committees through the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) and the policy departments; approves of the four specific projects being developed over the medium- term in the European Parliament library, namely the digital library, improved resources for research, comparative law sources and open library; considers these projects as a means to improve support to both Members and staff, as well as facilitating access to the external research community and citizens;

Amendment 99 #