Activities of Benedek JÁVOR related to 2016/2152(DEC)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2015, Section I – European Parliament PDF (717 KB) DOC (110 KB)
Amendments (40)
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas scrutiny, particularly in the form of the yearly discharge procedure is essential to ensure that Parliament's political leadership and administration are held accountable to citizens in the Union; whereas there is permanent scope for improvement in terms of quality, efficiency, and effectiveness in the management of public finances; whereas the principle of performance- based budgeting and good governance of human resources should be the core element when executing the budget;
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out, however, that the reputational risk in the case of the Parliament’s budgetary and financial management is relatively high, especially against the background of the Members of Parliament (MEPs) being the representatives of the citizens in the Union and hence any irregularities do not only damage the administration’s reputation, but also undermine the credibility of the MEPs as an institution, the Union as a whole and democratic principles and the rule of law in Europe;
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Encourages therefore the Court to consider issuing more special reports on specific areas of Parliament’s operations, such as its communications policies and, its management of the grants for European political parties and foundations and the proper use of the general expenditure allowances;
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Notes that ‘mopping-up’ transfers accounted for EUR 83 419 000, which represents 4,6 % of final appropriations with a total of EUR 71 000 000 transferred from provisional appropriation headings and from other sources, so as to help fund the annual lease payments for the Konrad Adenauer building; reaffirms, yet again, that Parliament's property policy should be set with sufficient clarity as part of the budgetary strategy; considers that level of the 'mopping-up' transfer as very high; is of the firm opinion that an effective management of the budget should reduce this transfer to the bare minimum;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Takes note of the written answers to the 2014 discharge resolution provided to CONT on 20 October 2016 and of the presentation by the secretary-general to the various questions and requests of Parliament's 2014 discharge resolution and the exchange of views with MEPs that followed; considers some answers as unsatisfactory; is of the firm opinion that the secretary-general should respect and implement the decision by the Plenary;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Considers that according to the Court the costs of the geographic dispersion of the Parliament amount to EUR 114 million per year and notes the finding that in the 2013 Fox-Häfner report 78 % of all missions by Parliament statutory staff arise as a direct result of the Parliament’s geographic dispersion; reminds that the estimation of the environmental impact of this dispersion is between 11 000 to 19 000 tonnes of CO2 emissions; calls on the Bureau to request the secretary-general to develop without delay a roadmap to a single seat for Parliament; reiterates its call on Parliament and the Council to address, in order to create long-term savings, the need for a roadmap to a single seat, as stated by Parliament in several previous resolutions; believes that the withdrawal of the UK and the need to reallocate the European Agencies which have currently their seat in the UK could provide an excellent opportunity to solve several issues in the same time;
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. Deplores the fact that the Parliament granted discharge to its President in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Parliament for the financial year 2014 and deleted at the last minute important paragraphs raising further questions concerning the President's political activities and financial behaviour during the 2014 European elections;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Calls on the bureau to make it possible for MEPs who wish to do so, to have their accounts relating toReminds the Parliament's position concerning the general expenditure allowance audis (GEA) as voted byin the Parliament’s administration in a manner that is both efficient and effective (for example, by taking samples or by concentrating on expenditures over a certain financial threshold) Discharge for 2014; furthermore calls on the bureau to define and to publish the resultes con their personal webpages on the Parliament’s website; alternatively, to earmark a percentage of the general expenditure allowance for MEPs to hire an external audit;cerning the use of the GEA which should be yearly checked by an authorised accountant
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Similarly, calls on the Secretary- general to make it possible for MEPs who wish to do so, that payments of all other allowances are also published on their personal webpages on the Parliament’s websitCalls on the bureau to make the following change concerning the general expenditure allowance;
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 37 – point 1 (new)
(1) The general expenditure allowance should be handled in all cases in a separate bank account; all receipts should be kept by the MEPs;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 – point 2 (new)
Paragraph 37 – point 2 (new)
(2) The unspent amount should be returned at the end of the mandate;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 – point 3 (new)
Paragraph 37 – point 3 (new)
(3) A 5% sample checks of the general expenditure allowance spending should be introduced by the EP internal auditing; the final results and the findings should be part of the annual report published by the EP;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 – point 4 (new)
Paragraph 37 – point 4 (new)
(4) The MEPs should publish, on an annual basis, an overview of their expenditures by category (communication costs, office rental, office supplies...);
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41a. Recalls the obligation on MEPs to inform the administration immediately of any change in their declarations of interests; regrets that the CVs and declarations of interests of the MEPs are uploaded to Parliament's website very late; believes that the MEPs' declarations of interest should be published in a machine-readable format; is of the opinion that the ethical ad hoc advisory committee should conduct its work more transparently;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 – indent 2
Paragraph 42 – indent 2
– engaging in lobbying activities directed towards the European institutionsa clear cooling off period by former MEPs during the period of time in which they are entitled to a transition allowance while engaging in lobbying activities directed towards the European institutions period ;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 – indent 3
Paragraph 42 – indent 3
– a strict oversight over the registration of declarations of MEPs’ interests;
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 a (new)
Paragraph 42 a (new)
42a. Strongly believes that Article 3 of the Code of Conduct for Members should be rephrased to include a clear ban on MEPs holding additional jobs or other paid work;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Is, however, not convinced of the effectiveness ofCalls for a more active approach in Parliament’'s communication strategy in respect oftowards those who are not automatically interested in Parliament’'s activities or are even sceptical about its functioning; invites the secretary- general to develop a new strategy toactions to further reach out also to these citizens and to concentrate in that respect less on “sending messages” than on facilitating access to information and on, facilitating access to information, making full use of Parliament's strong social media platforms and adequately addressing unjustified prejudices against the Parliament;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Is not convinced of the need to have information offices of the Parliament in all Member States, especially in view of the fact that for effective communication physical presence may not always be necessary and can easily be replaced by effective and responsive internet facilities; is in particular sceptical about having an information office in the cities of Brussels and Strasbourg as in both cities the Parliament itself can be visited and in addition for interested visitorsUnderlines the need to update the mission of the information offices of the Parliament so as to optimise the use of new communication technologies and patterns and take advantage of their privileged geographical position close to citizens for further intensifying the "going local" activities, such as organising debates with MEPs and civil society, with a view to listen to people and engage with them. Online debate and media attention triggered by therse is or will be a Parlameevents should contarium at bute to furtheir disposal;increase outreach to citizens.
Amendment 150 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. RecallWelcomes the joint presentation made to CONT and the Committee on Culture and Education of the survey as requested in the 2013 discharge conducted to determine whether the LUX Prize is well known and how, if at all, it is viewed in their respective Member States and of the findings therein;
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
Paragraph 49
49. Regrets, however,calls that the survey mainly related to awareness of the LUX Film Prize among MEPs and film-makers, whereason the aim of the Prize which is to illustrate to citizens Parliament’'s commitment to consensual values such as human rights and solidarity, as well as its commitment to cultural and linguistic diversity;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
50. Notes that the survey obtained a low response rate of 18 %, corresponding to 137 MEPs, and that it must be concluded that even among MEPs there is no consensus on the usefulness of the from all political groups and Member States, and that it must be concluded that even the awareness rate among MEPs is higher than 90%, the understanding on the LUX Film Prize purpose by 75% of the MEPs is accurate and more than 80% have a positive image of the LUX Film Prize;
Amendment 157 #
51. Is not convinced of the selection method, in which MEPs decide about the nominations and the final election of theCalls for alternative models to be consider for example, by establishing partnerships between the Parliament and third parties with the objective to further promote the LUX Film Prize winner and invites particular within the European film industry and the BEureau to report on alternative models for obtaining the desired results, for example, by supporting a comparable initiative taken by film-makers’ organisations themselves;opean public sphere, which will allow the Parliament to reinforce the budget of the LUX Film Prize but recalls that any kind of agreement must enhance, not weaken, the role and the visibility of the Parliament.
Amendment 161 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
52. Notes that, although the decreasing trend in budgetary support to the LUX Film Prize itself during the years the amount of spectators has increased, a number of 43.000 within the Union is still very low and makes the justification of the Lux Prize questionable;thanks to communication activities and social media
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55
Paragraph 55
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56
Paragraph 56
56. Notes that with the establishment of the Parlamentarium and the opening of the House of European History, the Parliament and its surroundings are becoming a citizens' and tourist attraction, of which the Brussels municipalities benefit and that will bring about a better knowledge of the role of the Parliament and illustrate citizens on Parliament's commitment to consensual values such as human rights and solidarity request the Bureau to consider to enter into a dialogue with the local authorities to see how the latter can contribute to the financing and management of the House of European History;
Amendment 175 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59
Paragraph 59
59. Welcomes the fact that the number of female directors-general rose from 18,2 % in 2014 (2 out of 11) to 33,3 % in 2015 (4 out of 12), but notes with concern that the number of female directors fell from 34 % in 2014 to 31,1 % in 2015. Notes that the percentage of female heads of unit continued to rise from 30 % at the end of 2014 to 31,2 % at the end of 2015. E; reminds that the absolute majority of the Parliament staff is composed by women but that women represent a limited part of the managerial posts; emphasises that imbalances for managerial posts therefore persist and that an equal opportunities programme for these posts remains of utmost importance; is of the firm opinion that the Parliament should have at least 40% of women at the managerial posts by 2019;
Amendment 191 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67
Paragraph 67
67. 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 MEP and the assistant; if this trust is lacking, that in itself is reason for terminating the contract; furthermore, if the MEP has to resign because of reputational damage as a consequence of harassment or other irregularitiesany criminal offence or other violation of law, this normally means that the contracts of all his/her assistants will also be terminated; calls therefore for the immediate strengthening of the representation of APAs in the advisory committee on harassment, as already requested in the context of the 2014 discharge, and financial compensatory measures, for example, by paying the APAs concerned up to their salaries until the end of the term of Parliament, if their contracts are dissolved and the unemployment benefits do not offer full compensation of lost income;
Amendment 196 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67 a (new)
Paragraph 67 a (new)
67a. Is concerned about the alleged practice that the APAs are illegally obliged by MEPs to undertake missions, particularly to Strasbourg, without mission orders, without mission costs or simply without travel costs; is of opinion that such a practice creates a room for abuse, where the APAs have to pay for the costs by their own means and the meanwhile they are not covered by workplace insurance without mission order; calls on the Bureau make sure that the Staff Regulation are properly implemented and sanction MEPs in case of breach of the rules;
Amendment 238 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 95 a (new)
Paragraph 95 a (new)
95a. 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 also sub- contracted service providers must equally comply with the rules; deplores the high use of plastic bottles, cups, containers and packaging in the Parliament in this respect;
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 97
Paragraph 97
97. Deems it of utmost importance, therefore, that the Parliament sets itself new, more challenging target, quantitative targets that should be regularly measured by the responsible services; notes on this regard the Bureau 2015 decision to offset the total amount of Parliament's carbon emissions, including emissions from flights by MEPs between their country of origin and the Parliament’'s working places;
Amendment 241 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 97 a (new)
Paragraph 97 a (new)
97a. Reminds 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 same 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 243 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 98 a (new)
Paragraph 98 a (new)
98a. Welcomes the creation of a Mobility Working Group which should work inclusively and clearly mandated; underlines that the 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;
Amendment 249 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 101
Paragraph 101
101. Requests the secretary-general to coordinate an extensive progress report in respect of the necessary improvements of the internal control systems of the political groups, as even if it is first of all the responsibility of the political groups themselves to take the necessary actions, reputational risk of any irregularities in this regard affects Parliament as an institution and the European democracy as a whole;
Amendment 250 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 104
Paragraph 104
104. Notes with concern that in the cases of the Alliance for Direct Democracy in Europe, the Movement for a Europe of Liberties and Democracy, the Initiative for Direct Democracy in Europe and the Foundation for a Europe of Liberties and Democracy major irregularities have been detected, relating to prohibited direct or indirect financing of national parties and to donations; is of the firm opinion that corrective measures should be taken without delay once the irregularities are proved and confirmed;
Amendment 252 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 105
Paragraph 105
105. Expresses its concern about the reputational risk for Parliament any such irregularities constitute and is convinced of the need for quick and effective action to prevent and address any similar irregularities in the future; considers, however, that these irregularities have occurred only in relation to a limited number of political parties and foundations; is of the opinion that those irregularities should not question the financial management of the others political parties and foundations;
Amendment 253 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 106
Paragraph 106
106. Is aware of the new Regulations 1141/2014 and 1142/2014 which will start to affect the funding of European political parties and foundations for the financial year 2018, and of the important role of the newly established authority for European political parties and European political foundations, as well as of the on-going discussions in the Bureau of the proposals of the secretary-general to address a number of issues not resolved by the above-mentioned regulations; calls on the Parliament's internal auditor to make a new audit report on the financing of the European political parties and foundations as soon as possible after the entry into force of the new regulation;
Amendment 254 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 107
Paragraph 107
107. Emphasises nevertheless that the current system of internal and external controls is clearly insufficient to avoid major irregularitiesshould be improved in order to better detect and prevent the major irregularities; believes however that corrective measures should be taken as soon as possible once any irregularity is detected; takes note of the declarations of the external accountant, EY, that its audits are aimed at obtaining a reasonable assurance that the annual accounts are free of material misstatements and that the entity has complied with in scope rules and regulations, and that they include examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the opinion; also notes, however, that the examinations do not include investigations of possible fraudulent statements and documents; that, therefore,believes that the audits should provide only for a superficiala better insight in the dealings of European political parties and foundations; is of the firm opinion that the proportionality principle should fully apply for the political parties and foundations;
Amendment 259 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 108
Paragraph 108
108. Is particularly worried about the lack of human resources (effectively 2 FTEs) in DG FINS devoted to checking the accounts of European political parties and foundations and expresses the view; is of the firm opinion that considering the high reputational risk involved, more resources should be devoted to this activity;
Amendment 270 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 112
Paragraph 112