Progress: Procedure completed
Role | Committee | Rapporteur | Shadows |
---|---|---|---|
Lead | CONT | CHASTEL Olivier ( Renew) | LENAERS Jeroen ( EPP), GARCÍA MUÑOZ Isabel ( S&D), PEKSA Mikuláš ( Verts/ALE), CZARNECKI Ryszard ( ECR), FLANAGAN Luke Ming ( GUE/NGL) |
Committee Opinion | TRAN | ||
Committee Opinion | FEMM | ||
Committee Opinion | PETI | ||
Committee Opinion | REGI | ||
Committee Opinion | AFCO | ||
Committee Opinion | DEVE | ||
Committee Opinion | CULT | ||
Committee Opinion | AFET | ||
Committee Opinion | PECH | ||
Committee Opinion | AGRI | ||
Committee Opinion | ENVI | ||
Committee Opinion | EMPL | ||
Committee Opinion | BUDG | ||
Committee Opinion | ITRE | ||
Committee Opinion | JURI | ||
Committee Opinion | ECON | ||
Committee Opinion | LIBE | ||
Committee Opinion | INTA | ||
Committee Opinion | IMCO |
Lead committee dossier:
Subjects
Events
The European Parliament adopted by 682 votes to 9, with 7 abstentions, to grant discharge to the European Ombudsman in respect of the implementation of the European Ombudsman's budget for the financial year 2019.
In the resolution accompanying its discharge decision (adopted by 658 votes to 14, with 19 abstentions), the European Parliament made a series of observations:
Parliament welcomed the fact that the Court of Auditors observed that no significant weaknesses had been identified in respect of the audited topics relating to human resources and procurement for the Ombudsman. The payments as a whole for the year ended on 31 December 2019 for administrative and other expenditure of the institutions and bodies were free from material error.
Budgetary and financial management
Parliament noted that the Ombudsman’s budget is mostly administrative, with a large amount being used for expenditure related to persons, buildings, furniture, equipment and miscellaneous running costs. This amounted in 2019 to EUR 11 496 261 (EUR 10 837 545 in 2018). The implementation rate in terms of commitments (including appropriations carried over from 2019 to 2020) is 92.3 % (compared to 95.3 % in 2018) and that of the total appropriations, 89.5 % were paid in 2019 (compared to 91.3 % in 2018).
The resolution welcomed the improvements in carry-overs, such as the fact that the amount of appropriations carried over from 2019 to 2020 is EUR 323 410 representing 2.8 % of the 2019 budget (compared to EUR 433 866 carried over from 2018 to 2019, representing 4 % of the 2018 budget).
Overall, Parliament recognised the sound financial management of the Ombudsman. Whenever, the underspending for certain budget lines appears to be systemic, the Ombudsman reduces the related appropriations in subsequent years, such as the budget line for publications, which was reduced proactively and progressively from EUR 219 000 in 2017 to EUR 123 000 in the 2021 draft budget.
Inter-institutional cooperation
Given the ever increasing workload, Parliament encouraged the Ombudsman to maintain and expand contacts with bodies at EU and national level, which serve the purpose of exchanging information and best practice and adopting common approaches on general administrative, financial, personnel and IT matters as well as on ethics, transparency and public integrity.
The Ombudsman is called on to cooperates closer with Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control by making that Committee aware of relevant failures, in form of maladministration and/or institutions’ negative replies to recommendations made by the Ombudsman in a concise and time-relevant format.
Human resources
The need for gender balance at all hierarchical levels was recalled. The resolution acknowledged plans for a reorganisation in 2020 to increase the Ombudsman’s efficiency resulting in a reduction in the number of managers, while taking into account the geographical balance, to the extent possible.
The Ombudsman was called on to tackle personnel-related issues and look into ways of improving recruitment processes. The flexible working arrangement offered to staff (flexitime, telework and part-time work) as well as training on team cohesion was highlighted. The Ombudsman should be a more inclusive workplace for persons with disabilities.
Complaints and inquiries
Parliament observed that in 2019, the number of complaints registered was 2171 (compared to 2160 in 2018), that the number of new cases processed was 2201 (compared to 2180 in 2018) and that the number of cases within the Ombudsman’s mandate was 871 (compared to 880 in 2018). It noted that the Ombudsman opened 456 new inquiries based on complaints (compared to 482 in 2018) and closed a record number of 552 complaint-based inquiries (compared to 534 in 2018) and as a result of the high turnover of cases, only 117 inquiries were carried over to 2020 (compared to (222 carried over to 2019).
The categories of complaints that saw the biggest increase include: respect for fundamental rights, proper use of discretion (including infringement procedures), culture of service, transparency and respect for procedural rights.
The Committee on Budgetary Control adopted the report by Olivier CHASTEL (Renew Europe, BE) calling on the European Parliament to give discharge to the European Ombudsman in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Ombudsman for the financial year 2019.
It welcomed the fact that the Court of Auditors observed that no significant weaknesses had been identified in respect of the audited topics relating to human resources and procurement for the Ombudsman. The Court concluded that the payments as a whole for the year ended on 31 December 2019 for administrative and other expenditure of the institutions and bodies were free from material error.
2019 was a transition year for the Ombudsman given that it coincided with the end of her first mandate and her re-election for the 2019-2024 parliamentary term. Members fully support the objectives identified by the Ombudsman for her strategy ‘Towards 2024’ covering her second mandate.
Budgetary and financial management
Members noted that the Ombudsman’s budget is mostly administrative, with a large amount being used for expenditure related to persons, buildings, furniture, equipment and miscellaneous running costs. This amounted in 2019 to EUR 11 496 261 (EUR 10 837 545 in 2018). The implementation rate in terms of commitments (including appropriations carried over from 2019 to 2020) is 92.3 % (compared to 95.3 % in 2018) and that of the total appropriations, 89.5 % were paid in 2019 (compared to 91.3 % in 2018).
The report welcomed the improvements in carry-overs, such as the fact that the amount of appropriations carried over from 2019 to 2020 is EUR 323 410 representing 2.8 % of the 2019 budget (compared to EUR 433 866 carried over from 2018 to 2019, representing 4 % of the 2018 budget).
Human resources
The need for gender balance at all hierarchical levels was recalled. The report acknowledged plans for a reorganisation in 2020 to increase the Ombudsman’s efficiency resulting in a reduction in the number of managers, while taking into account the geographical balance, to the extent possible.
The Ombudsman was called on to tackle personnel-related issues and look into ways of improving recruitment processes. The flexible working arrangement offered to staff (flexitime, telework and part-time work) as well as training on team cohesion was highlighted. The Ombudsman should be a more inclusive workplace for persons with disabilities.
Complaints and inquiries
The report observed that in 2019, the number of complaints registered was 2171 (compared to 2160 in 2018), that the number of new cases processed was 2201 (compared to 2180 in 2018) and that the number of cases within the Ombudsman’s mandate was 871 (compared to 880 in 2018). It noted that the Ombudsman opened 456 new inquiries based on complaints (compared to 482 in 2018) and closed a record number of 552 complaint-based inquiries (compared to 534 in 2018) and as a result of the high turnover of cases, only 117 inquiries were carried over to 2020 (compared to (222 carried over to 2019).
The categories of complaints that saw the biggest increase include: respect for fundamental rights, proper use of discretion (including infringement procedures), culture of service, transparency and respect for procedural rights.
Documents
- Decision by Parliament: T9-0171/2021
- Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
- Committee report tabled for plenary: A9-0065/2021
- Supplementary non-legislative basic document: 05792/2021
- Amendments tabled in committee: PE680.749
- Committee draft report: PE657.244
- Non-legislative basic document: COM(2020)0288
- Non-legislative basic document: EUR-Lex
- Non-legislative basic document published: COM(2020)0288
- Non-legislative basic document published: EUR-Lex
- Non-legislative basic document: COM(2020)0288 EUR-Lex
- Committee draft report: PE657.244
- Supplementary non-legislative basic document: 05792/2021
- Amendments tabled in committee: PE680.749
Votes
Décharge 2019 : Budget général de l'UE - Médiateur européen - 2019 discharge: EU general budget - European Ombudsman - Entlastung 2019: Gesamthaushaltsplan der EU – Europäischer Bürgerbeauftragter - A9-0065/2021 - Olivier Chastel - Proposition de décision #
Décharge 2019 : Budget général de l'UE - Médiateur européen - 2019 discharge: EU general budget - European Ombudsman - Entlastung 2019: Gesamthaushaltsplan der EU – Europäischer Bürgerbeauftragter - A9-0065/2021 - Olivier Chastel - Am 3 #
A9-0065/2021 - Olivier Chastel - Am 1 #
A9-0065/2021 - Olivier Chastel - Am 4 #
A9-0065/2021 - Olivier Chastel - Am 2S #
A9-0065/2021 - Olivier Chastel - Am 5 #
Décharge 2019 : Budget général de l'UE - Médiateur européen - 2019 discharge: EU general budget - European Ombudsman - Entlastung 2019: Gesamthaushaltsplan der EU – Europäischer Bürgerbeauftragter - A9-0065/2021 - Olivier Chastel - Proposition de résolution #
Amendments | Dossier |
38 |
2020/2147(DEC)
2021/02/08
CONT
38 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Proposal for a decision 1 Paragraph 1 1.
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Encourages the Ombudsman to maintain and expand contacts with bodies at Union and national level, which serve the purpose of exchanging information and best practices and adopting common approaches, where possible, on general administrative, financial, personnel and IT matters as well as on ethics, transparency and public integrity; welcomes the intense exchange with national ombudsmen offices, and the organising of meetings between national ombudsmen offices in order to identify topics for possible parallel inquiries;
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Encourages the Ombudsman to maintain and expand contacts with bodies at Union and national level, which serve the purpose of exchanging information and best practices and adopting common approaches (such as the guidelines developed via the Inter-institutional Online Communication Committee), where possible, on general administrative, financial, personnel and IT matters as well as on ethics, transparency and public integrity;
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 a (new) 9 a. Recalls the Ombudsman’s repeated request to enhance the Union institutions' work ethics and transparency; calls for an enhanced mutual cooperation with the future Independent Ethics Body (IEB), generating a steady information exchange within their respective mandates;
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Repeats the need for gender balance at all hierarchical levels
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Is aware of the difficulty posed for a small institution in striving for geographical balance but nevertheless regrets that in 2019 the Ombudsman’s staff represented 20 out of the 27 nationalities of the Member states; notes that the number of managers was seven, and that they were composed of
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 a (new) 13 a. Invites the Ombudsman to tackle personnel-related issues and look into ways of improving the recruitment processes, so that the vacant posts do not remain unfilled for an excessive period of time, which has a direct negative impact on the workload distribution and could - combined with the decrease in the number of contract agents - harm the efficiency of the institution;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 a (new) 13 a. Notes the flexible working arrangement offered to the staff (flexitime, telework and part-time work) as well as the training on team cohesion; encourages the Ombudsman to go beyond regarding staff well-being and to carry out satisfaction surveys to identify possible improvement proposals;
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 a (new) 13 a. Asks the Ombudsman to report on the concrete achievements of the updated diversity policy, the results of the actions taken in regards of strengthening diversity and making the Ombudsman a more inclusive workplace for persons with disabilities;
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 a (new) 15 a. Notes that a complex approach is needed in order to make the European institutions’ home pages accessible to persons with all kind of disabilities, including the availability of national sign languages; suggests that disability-related organisations are involved in this process;
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 a (new) Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 a (new) 2 a. Regrets, as an overall remark, that Chapter 9 ‘Administration’ of the Annual Report of the Court has a rather limited scope and conclusions, even if Heading 5 "Administration" of the Multiannual Financial Framework is considered low risk; requests that the audit work for the chapter on Administration be more focused on issues of high relevance or even critical for the Ombudsman
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 a (new) 19 a. Notes that the categories of complaints that saw the biggest increase are: respect for fundamental rights, proper use of discretion(including infringement procedures), culture of service, transparency and respect for procedural rights; encourages the Ombudsman to continue reporting to the Parliament on the recommendations made to Union institutions in this regard;
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Notes that the internal auditor's annual report for 2018 concluded that, subject to closure of the remaining action on business continuity management, the Ombudsman's risk management, control and governance systems are effective and efficient and provide the reasonable assurance th
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Notes that the internal auditor's annual report for 2018 concluded that, subject to closure of the remaining action on business continuity management, the Ombudsman's risk management, control and governance systems are effective and efficient and provide the reasonable assurance th
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 24. Takes the opportunity to congratulate the Ombudsman on the opening of an investigation (OI/2/2017) on
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 24. Takes the opportunity to congratulate the Ombudsman on the opening of an investigation (OI/2/2017) on the transparency of the Council’s legislative work in 2017 in order to allow citizens to more easily follow the legislative process of the Union; welcomes the recent positive echoing by the Ombudsman of the new transparency steps taken by the Council, for example by proactively publishing progress reports on negotiations on draft laws, a development which is in line with proposals made by the Ombudsman as a result of her inquiries; nevertheless, recalls the Ombudsman’s opinion that the Council should further step up its transparency efforts by, inter alia, publishing Council legislative documents including minutes of Working Group meetings, trilogue and other milestone working documents;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 24. Takes the opportunity to congratulate the Ombudsman on the opening of an investigation (OI/2/2017) on the transparency of the Council’s legislative work in 2017 in order to allow citizens to more easily follow the legislative process of the Union; welcomes the recent positive echoing by the Ombudsman of the new transparency steps taken by the Council, for example by proactively publishing progress reports on negotiations on draft laws, a development which is in line with proposals made by the Ombudsman as a result of her inquiries; appreciates Ombudsman´s proposals to ensure a more systematic and effective approach to dealing with former staff members moving to the private sector or people moving from the private sector to the Commission;
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 a (new) 24 a. Appreciates the Ombudsman’s efforts to increase the transparency of Union public spending; deeply regrets that the Parliament’s leadership rejected the Ombudsman’s recommendation to grant public access to documents related to the revision of the list of expenses that may be covered by the General Expenditure Allowance granted to Members;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26 a (new) 26 a. Welcomes that the Ombudsman automatically publishes inquiries on its website unless a complainant specifically requested confidentiality or a case contains personal data;
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 28. Welcomes that the Ombudsman supports the importance of data protection, and commits to enhance further the awareness of users of the importance of online data protection; congratulates the Ombudsman on her Action Plan for the EU DPR produced in 2018 aiming to adapt the institution to the new legislation, as well as the progress achieved implementing the 24 actions identified in the plan throughout 2019;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 28. Welcomes that the Ombudsman supports the importance of data protection, and commits to enhance further the awareness of users of the importance of online data protection; appreciates he creation of the Register of records of processing operations of the European Ombudsman and the cooperation with the European Parliament;
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 a (new) 2 a. Takes note that 2019 was a transition year for the Ombudsman given that it coincided with the end of her first mandate and her re-election for the 2019- 2024 parliamentary term; fully supports the objectives identified by the Ombudsman for her strategy ‘Towards 2024’ that covers her second mandate;
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 a (new) 28 a. Welcomes that the Ombudsman uses and promotes the use of free and open-source software whenever possible for external and internal communication; appreciates that the Ombudsman recognizes the added value of open-source software to increase transparency and gives it priority when developing new IT projects;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 b (new) 28 b. Encourages the Ombudsman to follow the EDPS recommendations to renegotiate the Inter-Institutional Licensing Agreement and implementation contract, signed between the Union institutions and Microsoft in 2018, with the objective to achieve digital sovereignty, avoid vendor lock-in and lack of control, as well as to ensure the protection of personal data;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29.
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 31 31. Underlines the importance of a good functioning collaboration among the ENO as Union law and policies are increasingly important for the everyday life of citizens of the member states;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 32 32. Highlights the second edition of the award for good administration launched by the Ombudsman, which dealt with 54 inspiring projects nominated from the main Union institutions, as well as many agencies and other bodies, which shows the high interest in it; notes that the overall award for good administration went to the teams from the Commission that worked on the Union initiative to reduce plastic pollution and raise awareness about the problem;
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 32 a (new) 32 a. Appreciates the Ombudsman’s efforts to keep developing its digital presence and online communication tools; encourages the Ombudsman to continue with its project to establish a presence on additional free and open- source social media networks, such as Mastodon, to achieve further transparency and broader outreach;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 33 33. Welcomes the Ombudsman’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint via concrete actions such as the extensive use of videoconference facilities for internal and inter-institutional meetings, and which have made it possible to reduce missions; notes the teleworking policy, which is used by many members of staff (and by all staff during the COVID-19 crisis), which limits individual transportation; encourages the Ombudsman to continue undertaking actions aiming at reducing the carbon footprint as well as to pay close attention to the energy mix used by the institution, with emphasis on promoting clean and renewable sources.
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 33 33. Welcomes the Ombudsman’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint via concrete actions such as the extensive use of videoconference facilities for internal and inter-institutional meetings, and which have made it possible to reduce missions; notes the teleworking policy, which is used by many members of staff (and by all staff during the COVID-19 crisis), which limits individual transportation.
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 33 a (new) 33 a. Welcomes the initiatives by the Ombudsman´s office to encourage the use of public transportation by providing financial support for yearly subscriptions and by limiting available car parking spaces.
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 a (new) Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 b (new) 6 b. Deplores that the Ombudsman processes inquiries that appear not to fall within his mandate; is concerned that the Ombudsman executes own-initiative inquiries that seemingly fall outside of the Ombudsman´s legal base; notes with concern that the ombudsman e.g. opened an own-initiative inquiry into the transparency of trialogs; is of the opinion that such an inquiry goes beyond the remit of maladministration and thus falls outside the Ombudsman’s mandate; emphasises that the Ombudsman should respect the crucial distinction between the notion of (mal)administration and the exercise of legislative and political activity; urges the Ombudsman to execute the mandate based on the Ombudsman´s Statute;
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 c (new) 6 c. Stresses that the Ombudsman must not take a partisan political position e.g. in requesting clarifications about the inclusion of gas projects in the so-called fourth EU list of Projects of Common Interests (PCI); notes that according to Article 9 of the Ombudsman´s statue, the Ombudsman shall perform his duties with complete neutrality and independence, in the general interest of the Communities and of the citizens of the Union; recalls that the Ombudsman should refrain from interference in political discourse and processes of public opinion formation; regards with concern that the Ombudsman continuously interferes with political actualities; observes with concern that the Ombudsman uses European funds for activities beyond the legal base of her mandate; considers this a regrettable and wrong use of European means;
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 d (new) 6 d. Reminds that a complaint to the Ombudsman can be brought through an MEP, but not by an MEP; regrets that the Ombudsman acts on the sole initiative of Members of the European Parliament or NGOs e.g. in the joint inquiry 853/2020/KR regarding “the awarding of a procurement contract to Blackrock Investments”, which was brought to the Ombudsman by an unnamed “group of MEPs” as stated in footnote 3; urges the Ombudsman to act on behalf of the citizens and ensure that the source of the complaints is within the scope of the legal base or his mandate;
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 a (new) 7 a. Reiterates its support to the Ombudsman’s request to raise the number of staff to face the increasing workload;
source: 680.749
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