Activities of Péter NIEDERMÜLLER related to 2017/2164(DEC)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) for the financial year 2016
Amendments (4)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights that the mandate of Frontex was considerabin 2016 Frontex's role and activities were significantly extepanded with a budget increase of 75 % versus 18 % for its staff after its mandate was boosted with the adoption of the European Border and Coast Guard regulation (EU) 2016/1624; notes in this context, the Court of Auditors' conclusions that the annual accounts of the Agency fairly present its financial position on 31 December 2016 and that its transactions are legal and regular;
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that, as a result of the migration crisis following the increased levels of migration into the EU in 2015 and 2016, Frontex faced problems absorbing additional Union funds granted throughout 2016, leading to considerable difficulties in complying with budgetary and financial rules; stresses the high level of cancelled carry-overs from 2015 for Title III (16 %) ; underlines that it originally allocated EUR 20 million from its 2016 budget for expenditure dedicated to ‘hotspots’ but has in the meantime already committed almost EUR 35 million for that purpose; points out that the Agency performed illicit “national returns” until October 2016, which resulted in irregular payments; requests the Agency to significantly improve its financial planning and budget management capabilities;
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Criticises the irregular recruitment of 14 temporary staff at high AST grades; notes, however, that the Agency experienced difficulties in finding enough suitable candidates with the required profile; requests the Agency to strictly adhere to the Staff Regulations at all times; stresses that the Agency’s staff will more than double from 2016 to 2020; regrets, however, that the increase is not based on a thorough analysis; requests the Agency to better justify its needs in the future based on accurate and verifiable information;
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Urges the Agency to provide its Fundamental Rights Officer with adequate resources and staff, in particular for setting up a complaint mechanism and for further developing and implementing the Agency’s strategy to monitor and ensure the protection of fundamental rights; welcomes, in this regard, the fact that the Fundamental Rights Office has received 5 new staff members since 2016.