63 Amendments of Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ related to 2015/2041(INI)
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Commission's announcement of its intention to present, in 2016, a proposal for an inter-institutional agreement revising the Transparency Register for representatives of interest groups; insists that the consultations preceding the proposal take account, in a balanced way, of the different points of view expressed and do not in any case prevent the decision-making bodies from obtaining all relevant information;
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 8 May 2008 on the development of the framework for the activities of interest representatives (lobbyists) in the European institutions (2007/2115(INI));
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Encourages MEPs and Council´s representatives to voluntarily publish information about their meetings with stakeholders, as is the practice of the Commission,
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the Union ‘shall observe the principle of the equality of its citizens, who shall receive equal attention from its institutions’ (Article 9 of the Treaty on European Union), and whereas ‘every citizen shall have the right to participate in the democratic life of the Union’ and ‘decisions shall be taken as openly and as closely as possible to the citizen’ (Article 10(3)) and that ‘the Union’s institutions, bodies, offices and agencies shall conduct their work as openly as possible’ (Article 15(1) of the TFEU);
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Regrets the limited progress in ensuring the protection of whistleblowers and journalists, who canAcknowledges that whistleblowers could play a significant role in the fight against corruption; regretasks, therefore, that the Commission has not responded to Parliament's request to examine the possibility of establishing a European whistleblower protection programme; calls on the Commission to present a communication on this subject by the end of 2016;to assess the situation regarding whistleblowers´ rules on national level and consider a possible plan for setting up minimum rules for whistleblowers with adequate safeguards against misuse
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas EU institutions have been becoming more open and are in most respects already ahead of national and regional political institutions in terms of their transparency, accountability and integrity;
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Feels that a strong and independent European Public Prosecutor's Office should be set up in orderwith clearly defined competences and responsibilities will help to combat offences against the Union’'s financial interests and to investigate, prosecute and bring the perpetrators of offences against the Union’'s financial interests to judgement; considers that any weaker solution would be detrimental to the Union budget; encourages the Council to give a new impetus to the negotiations on the PIF Directive in order to strengthen the existing legal framework and to enhance the efficiency of the protection of EU financial interests.
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the adequate representation of different interests in the legislation process represents a significant source of information for Members and is crucial for the properly functioning of pluralistic societies;
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas, in view of the greater distance between the EU and its citizens and lower levels of media interest in the EU affairs, EU institutions must strive for the highest possible standards of transparency, accountability and integrity;
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Regrets the deadlock in the Council on the revision of Regulation (EC) 1049/2001 on access to documents; calls for an ambitious reform, which would be an undoubted step forward; recalls that transparency enhances public trust in the EU institutions by allowing citizens to be informed about the EU decision-making process; the citizens should be informed accurately and in good time;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recalls the need to improve the transparency of legislative negotiations, including trialogues.nevertheless stresses that trialogues proved to be an effective instrument for reaching a consensus among the legislative bodies; suggests therefore that their transparency should be increased by reporting in the competent parliamentary committee on the developments of the state of play of the trilogue negotiations;
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Calls for an increased transparency of the EU Agencies and their relations to other EU bodies; stresses the importance of transparent processes of nomination, election or appointment of Agencies´representatives, especially in cases when the Parliament is included;
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas non-transparent, one-sided lobbying may poses a significant threaterious challenge to policy-making and to the public interest;
Amendment 28 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the Commission’s agreement to increase transparency by improving its system of expert groups, particularly as regards the procedure for selecting experts, through the development of a new conflict- of-interest policy for experts appointed in a personal capacity; takes note of the requirement for experts to be registered in the transparency register where relevant; however urges the Commission to take into account the recommendations of the European Ombudsman concerning the composition of the expert groups and to create more systematic and transparent approach; encourages the European agencies to consider reforms in a similar sense;
Amendment 28 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Stresses that appropriate balance between privacy and data protection and transparency should be established;
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Believes that the level of transparency could be raised through the creation of a legislative footprint for EU lobbying that would enable publishing of all documents covering every step in the process of drafting legislation, with the objective of switching from a voluntary to a mandatory EU register for all lobbying activities for any of the EU institutions;
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. BelievEncourages that the Commission, Parliament and the Council should record and disclose allrelevant input received from lobbyists/interest representatives on draft policies, laws and amendments as a ‘legislative footprint’; suggests that this legislative footprint should consist of a form annexed to reports, detailing all the lobbyists with whom those in charge of a particular file have met in the process of drawing up each report and a second document listing all written input received;
Amendment 42 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Demands that all those EU institutions that have not yet done so urgently adopt internal rules on whistleblowing and assess the possibility of agreeing on a common approach to their obligations, focusing on the protection of whistleblowers;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to expand and improve its existing initiativeWelcomes the initiative of the Commission as laid out in its decision of 25 November 2014 on the publication of information on meetings held between Members of the Commission and organisations or self-employed individuals; considers that the recording of meeting data should be expanded to include everyone involved in the EU’s policy-making processalls on the Commission to continue with the increase of transparency in regard to meetings of decision makers in the EU’s policy-making process, while taking into account necessary data protection;
Amendment 54 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Considers OLAF to be a key actor in the fight against corruption and therefore believes that it is of utmost importance that the institution works effectively and independently; recommends that the OLAF Supervisory Committee is given access to the information needed for effective execution of its mandate with regard to oversight of the OLAF activities and is provided with budgetary independence;
Amendment 59 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Recognises the important role of Europol and Eurojust in combating organised crime including corruption; believes that the agencies should have further powers to act in this area, especially in the instances of transnational cases;
Amendment 60 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Recommends that the European Public Prosecutor´s Office (EPPO) has a mandate covering organised crime including combating of corruption; highlights that tasks and responsibilities of the EPPO should be further clarified in order to avoid potential overlap of work with national authorities;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that an amendment should introduce mandatory monthlyannual updates on lobby expenditures;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Reiterates its longstanding call to back up the EU lobby register with a legal act to close all loopholes anhich would achieve a fully mandatory register for all lobbyists; considers that the proposal for this legal act could take into account the progress achieved by changes in the inter- institutional agreement and Parliament’s Code of Conduct;
Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Considers lobby transparency through monthlyannual reporting by lobbyists about their meetings as a key element for future EU legislation;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Considers that, when interpreting ‘inappropriate behaviour’ within the meaning of point (b) of the Code of Conduct, this expression shcould be taken to include turning down formal invitations to hearings or committees without sufficient reason;
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Recalls the position of the EP adopted in the Gualtieri report on the modification of the interinstitutional agreement on the Transparency Register(2014/2010(ACI)), with regard to professional organisations, and their readiness to work in partnership to ensure that, in the interest of their profession the withholding of information is confined exclusively to what the legislation objectively permits;
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Asks the Bureau to restrict access to Parliament’s premises for non-registered organisations or individuals by making all visitors to its premises sign a declaration that they are not lobbyists falling within the scope of the register or otherwise declare their registrationthat undertake lobbying activities;
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Believes it to be necessary, as a matter of urgency,Reiterates the necessity to introduce a proper monitoring system for submitted information in order to ensure that the information that registrants provide is meaningful, accurate, up-to-date and comprehensive;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Believes that representations of national, regional and local governments should not fall under the EU lobby register if they have their own mandatory lobby register and do not offer workspace for private or corporate actors within their representations;
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Is of the opinion that further steps need to be taken both to tackle ethical issues relating to the political role of lobbies, their practices and their influence and to promote safeguards for integrity, in order to raise the level of transparency of lobbying activities;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Believes that the members of the Advisory Committee chosen from among Members of the European Parliament should be complemented by a majority of externally chosen members who must be qualified experts in the field of ethics regulation and should be drawn from an open call and include members of civil societyshould be former member of the European Court of Justice or European Court of Auditors;
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
Amendment 200 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Encourages the dissemination of the conflict-of-interest policy among officials alongside on-going awareness-raising activities;
Amendment 209 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Believes that Article 3 of the Code of Conduct for Members should be rephrased to include a clear ban on MembersReiterates that MEPs should declare if they are holding side jobs or other paid work that could lead to a conflict of interest;
Amendment 223 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Considers it regrettable that the Council has still not adopted a code of conduct;
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4
Subheading 4
Amendment 243 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
Amendment 252 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Underlines the need to enhance integrity and improve the ethical framework through clear and reinforced codes of conduct and ethical principles, so as to allow the development of a common and effective culture of integrity for all EU institutions and agencies;
Amendment 253 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21b. Recognises that revolving door effect can be detrimental to the relations between the institutions and interest representatives; calls on the Commission to develop a systematic and proportional approach for this challenge throughout the European institutions;
Amendment 257 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
Amendment 284 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6
Subheading 6
Amendment 288 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
Amendment 294 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
Amendment 302 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Recalls the provisions of Regulation 2014/1141, that will entry into force in January 1, 2017, stipulating that control over the financing of European Political Parties shall be exercised on the basis of annual certification by an external and independent audit, as well as by the Court of Auditors, in accordance with Article 287 TFEU;
Amendment 305 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
Amendment 335 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Regrets that the Council’s lack of transparency is preventing citizens and national parliaments form holding governments fully accountable owing to a lack ofinsufficient information on the positions of individual Member States;
Amendment 343 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Believes, therefore, that preparatory meetings within the Council should be as public as meetings of Parliament’s committepossible, while taking into consideration reasonable need for confidentiality during the negotiations between Member States;
Amendment 347 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
Amendment 354 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Amendment 356 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
Amendment 370 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Takes the view that Members should have the right to request access to all Commission documents, where necessary under exceptional circumstancesich relate to any of the Parliament’s competences, where necessary through a reading room;
Amendment 387 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. RecognisWelcomes the progress made in the transparency of trade negotiations, but insists that these advances with respect to TTIP must be extended to all trade negotiation and the Commission's efforts to ensure greater openness; recognises that TTIP negotiations procedure is now among the most transparent public international negotiations ever; understands at the same time that a degree of confidentiality in the process of negotiations is often necessary for their success;
Amendment 415 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Believes that decisions taken or prepared in the Eurogroup, in the Economic and Financial Committee, ‘"informal’" Ecofin Council meetings and Euro summits must becomehave to be as transparent and accountas possible, fincluding through the publication of their minutesa right balance between desirable transparency and necessary data protection;
Amendment 424 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. RAcknowledges that whistleblowers can play a considerable role in the fight against corruption and welcomes the progress in their protection achieved so far; regrets the Ombudsman’s finding that most EU institutions have not yet properly implemented rules to protect whistleblowers; points out that to date only the Commission, the Ombudsman and the Court of Auditors have adopted such rules;
Amendment 427 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Believes effective whistleblower protection to be a key weapon against corruption and therefore reiterates its call to the Commission to prepare a whistleblower protection directiCommunication based on the assessment of the rules at national leve,l including minimum Europe-wide standards of protection order to provide for minimum rules for whistleblowers;
Amendment 429 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 a (new)
Paragraph 44 a (new)
44 a. Asks the Commission to apply strictly the measures pertaining to discretion and exclusion in respect of public procurement, with proper background checks being carried out in every instance, and to apply the exclusion criteria in order to debar companies in the event of any conflict of interest, this being essential to protect the credibility of the institutions;
Amendment 434 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
Amendment 462 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48