Activities of Herbert BÖSCH
Plenary speeches (96)
2002 discharges (continuation)
Fight against fraud and protection of the financial interests of the Communities (2002)
2001 discharge: Committee of the Regions
Follow-up to 2001 discharges (Commission)
Presentation of the Court of Auditors' annual report
Assessment of OLAF
Assessment of OLAF
Legislative and work programme for 2004 – Eurostat
2001 discharges (decentralised agencies)
Relations with the complainant in infringements of Community law
2001 discharge procedure
Protection of the financial interests of the Community and the European Prosecutor
Protection of financial interests and the fight against fraud
2000 discharge follow-up
Reform of the clearance of accounts procedure
Socrates and Youth for Europe programmes (CA Special Report 2/2002)
Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget
Fraud-proofing of legislation and contract management
Activities of the European Ombudsman (2001) Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions 2001-2002
Transactions financed by EAGGF Guarantee Section
Transactions financed by EAGGF Guarantee Section
General debate on the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2003
2000 discharges
1999 discharge (measures taken by Commission)
Communities' financial interests
Presentation of the Court of Auditors' annual report – 2000
6th, 7th and 8th EDF discharge for 1999
6th, 7th and 8th EDF discharge for 1999
European Ombudsman/Code of administrative conduct
Aid scheme for olive oil
Discharges (continuation)
Fight against fraud
1997 discharge
Special reports of the Court of Auditors
Protection of Communities' financial interests
Reform of budgetary control procedures
Special report by the European Ombudsman on Commission recruitment
Court of Auditors' annual report for 1999
FAIR Programme
Separating financial control functions
1998 discharge
Integrated control system for Community aid schemes
Integrated control system for Community aid schemes
Protecting the Communities’ financial interests and the fight against fraud
EC-Switzerland agreements
1998 discharge, budgetary control
Adoption of the Minutes of the previous sitting
1997 discharge
Response to Second Report of Committee of Independent Experts
Appointment of 8 members of the Court of Auditors
Annual Report of the Court of Auditors
Internal OLAF investigations
Supplementary and amending budget No 5/1999
Changes to the Rules of Procedure following the interinstitutional agreement (OLAF)
2007 discharge: EU general budget - Council (debate)
2007 discharge: EU general budget - Council (debate)
Budget discharges 2007, (Vote will be held on Thursday) (debate)
The ABB-ABM method as a management tool for allocating budgetary resources - Mid-term Review of the 2007-2013 Financial Framework (debate)
Council's approach to revision of OLAF regulation (debate)
Presentation of the Court of Auditors' annual report - 2007
Investigations conducted by the European Anti Fraud Office (OLAF) (debate)
Investigations conducted by the European Anti Fraud Office (OLAF) (debate)
2006 discharge (debate)
2006 discharge: European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (A6-0111/2008, Hans-Peter Martin) (vote)
Protection of the Communities’ financial interests – Fight against fraud – Annual reports 2005 and 2006 (debate)
Presentation of the Court of Auditors' annual report - 2006 (debate)
Presentation of the Court of Auditors' annual report - 2006 (debate)
Order of business
Combating cigarette smuggling (EC-Philip Morris agreement) (debate)
Community financial aid in the field of the trans-European transport and energy networks (debate)
Discharge for the financial year 2005 (debate)
Discharge 2005: Section II, Council (vote)
The future of the European Union's own resources (debate)
Community action programme to promote activities in the field of the protection of the Community's financial interests (Hercule II programme) (vote)
Voluntary modulation of direct payments under the CAP (debate)
Accession of Bulgaria - Accession of Romania (debate)
Presentation of the Court of Auditors’ Annual Report – 2005 (debate)
Support for rural development by the EAFRD – Voluntary modulation of direct payments under the CAP (debate)
Draft general budget for 2007 (Section III) – Draft general budget for 2007 (Sections I, II, IV, V, VI, VII and VIII)
2004 discharge: Section I - European Parliament (debate)
Protection of the Communities' financial interests (debate)
IIA on budgetary discipline and sound financial management – Conclusion of the IIA on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (debate)
Discharges for the implementation of the European Union general budget for the financial year 2004 (debate)
Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (debate)
Bohunice V1
Presentation of the Court of Auditors’ annual report – 2004
Trans-European transport networks and energy
Basic guidelines for sustainable European tourism
European schools
Natural disasters (fires and floods)
Agreement Commission – Member States/Philip Morris to combat fraud
Protecting the Community's financial interests and fight against fraud
Budgetary discharge
Voting time
Dismissal of Commission language teachers
Annual report of the Court of Auditors – 2003
Reports (21)
Report on the draft interinstitutional agreement concerning internal investigations by the Fraud Prevention Office - Committee on Budgetary Control PDF (38 KB)
Report on the amended proposal for a Council regulation concerning investigations conducted by the Fraud Prevention Office - Committee on Budgetary Control PDF (155 KB)
Report on the independence, role and satus of the Unit for the Coordenation of Fraud Prevention (UCLAF) (Special report No 8/98 of the Court of Auditors concerning the Commission departments responsible for fighting fraud) - Committee on Budgetary Control PDF (53 KB)
Report on the Commission's 1996 Annual Report (COM(97)0200 - C4-0230/97) and its Work Programme for 1997/98 on the protection of financial interests in the fight against fraud (COM(97)0199 - C4-0231/97) - Committee on Budgetary Control PDF (167 KB)
Report on giving discharge to the Commission in respect of the financial management of the sixth and seventh European Development Funds for the 1995 Financial Year - Committee on Budgetary Control PDF (51 KB)
Report on the protection of the financial interests of the Communities and fight against fraud - Annual Reporr 2002 - Committee on Budgetary Control PDF (632 KB) DOC (371 KB)
Report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Coucnil decision establishing a Community action programme to promote activities in the field of the protection of the Community's financial interests - Committee on Budgetary Control PDF (210 KB) DOC (135 KB)
Report on the Commission report on the evaluation of the activities of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) - Committee on Budgetary Control PDF (180 KB) DOC (95 KB)
Report on the protection of the Communities? financial interests and the fight against fraud - annual report 2001 - Committee on Budgetary Control PDF (667 KB) DOC (193 KB)
Report on the future financing of the European Schools - Committee on Budgets PDF (193 KB) DOC (112 KB)
Report on the Commission communication concerning the fraud-proofing of legislation and contract management - Committee on Budgetary Control PDF (117 KB) DOC (51 KB)
Report on the Commission annual report 2000 on the protection of the Communities'financial interests and the fight against fraud (COM(2001)0255 - C5-0469/2001 - 2001/2186(COS)) and on the Commission communication on protecting the Communities'financial interests, fight against fraud, Action plan for 2001-2003 (COM(2001)0254 - C5-0470/2001 - 2001/2186(COS)) - Committee on Budgetary Control PDF (164 KB) DOC (88 KB)
PDF (137 KB) DOC (73 KB)
PDF (39 KB) DOC (61 KB)
PDF (33 KB) DOC (62 KB)
PDF (88 KB) DOC (118 KB)
REPORT Report on the proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EEC) No 386/90 on the monitoring carried out at the time of export of agricultural products receiving refunds or other amounts PDF (118 KB) DOC (55 KB)
REPORT Report on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending and extending Decision No 804/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 establishing a Community action programme to promote activities in the field of the protection of the Community's financial interests (Hercule II programme) PDF (318 KB) DOC (258 KB)
REPORT on protection of the financial interests of the Communities and the fight against fraud - 2004 annual report PDF (338 KB) DOC (418 KB)
REPORT Protection of the financial interests of the Communities and fight against fraud PDF (334 KB) DOC (244 KB)
REPORT Report on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other part, to counter fraud and all other illegal activities affecting their financial interests PDF (176 KB) DOC (59 KB)
Opinions (4)
OPINION Draft opinion for the Committee on Budgets on Mid-term Review of the 2007-2013 financial framework.
OPINION Proposal for a Council Regulation laying down rules for voluntary modulation of direct payments provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy and establishing certain support schemes for farmers, and amending Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005
OPINION Proposal for a Council directive amending Directive 77/388/EEC as regards certain measures to simplify the procedure for charging value added tax and to assist in countering tax evasion and avoidance, and repealing certain Decisions granting derogations
OPINION Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: consultation on options for developing the European schools system
Written declarations (1)
Amendments (50)
Amendment 1 #
2008/2279(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that two new Members joined the ECA in the course of 2007 following the accession of Bulgaria and Romania; reiterates its hope that it will be possible to devise a more rational structure for the ECA before the next enlargement; asks the ECA to consider existing models with a view to reducing the total number of Members; calls on the ECA to keep Parliament informed of the follow-up to this recommendatnotes the fact that the original organising principle of the European audit function - one national from each Member State - has now resulted in an organisation governed by a college of 27 members; is convinced that this structure has reached its limits and that an in-depth reform and strengthening of the European Union's external audit arrangements are needed; stresses that the stronger the ECA is, the stronger the discharge authority and the better the scrutiny of the executive; invites, therefore, the Member States to initiate discussions on a reform of the ECA and to include Parliament in these discussions;
Amendment 2 #
2008/2279(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Observes that a "peer review" report by an international peer review team was delivered in December 2008 with the aim of assessing the design and operation of the ECA's Audit Management Framework; notes with satisfaction that the peer review concluded that "the management framework of the Court is suitably designed in accordance with international auditing standards"; further notes the opportunities and challenges for the ECA, identified in the report, to further strengthen itself as a supreme audit institution; welcomes the endeavour of the Court to implement all the recommendations of the peer review; regrets that the peer review avoided the fundamental question which is whether the actual structure of the Union's external audit function is adequate;
Amendment 4 #
2008/2279(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Notes that its President received the Court's Gold Medal in recognition of the successful cooperation between Parliament and the ECA; is of the opinion that this award reflects in particular the high standard of collaboration between the ECA and Parliament's competent committee which has led to, for example, a clearer ECA annual report, to a systematic follow-up of the Court's special reports and the preparation of a statute for Members' assistants;
Amendment 1 #
2008/2256(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Underlines its high regard for the results achieved by the Agency and congratulates the Director and its staff for the work done in a very difficult environment, improving considerably the image of the EU and its visibility;
Amendment 2 #
2008/2256(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Has seen ample evidence that the Agency had not only the systems (logistics, IT systems, and others) to swiftly implement large amounts of support in post-conflict situations, but that it also had the proven expertise and know-how to design and deliver high quality assistance that had real impact;
Amendment 3 #
2008/2256(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Regrets that the Commission did not respect discharge resolutions for the financial years 2005 and 2006 asking to prolong the Agency’s activities which ended in 2008, and is concerned about the consequential risk that the EU may lose much of the expertise the Agency had acquired over the last eight years;
Amendment 4 #
2008/2256(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 d (new)
Paragraph 2 d (new)
2d. Is therefore convinced that the Agency should have been transformed into an Agency for the implementation of certain EU external actions, in particular the management of EU assistance in post- conflict situations;
Amendment 5 #
2008/2256(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 e (new)
Paragraph 2 e (new)
Amendment 6 #
2008/2256(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 f (new)
Paragraph 2 f (new)
2f. Considers that this new Agency should play a crucial role in delivering EU assistance in situations in which traditional development assistance cannot be implemented by the Commission’s services in Brussels or its Delegations;
Amendment 7 #
2008/2256(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 g (new)
Paragraph 2 g (new)
2g. Believes that this new Agency would not only provide an efficient means of delivering well targeted assistance in these situations, but would also greatly increase the EU’s visibility and credibility;
Amendment 8 #
2008/2256(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 14 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 g (new)
Paragraph -1 g (new)
-1g. Continues to worry about the lack of EU capacity in crisis management; considers that the EU is losing in political guidance, visibility and accountability when using international trust funds which could have been managed by the Commission if it had respected discharge reports 2005 and 2006 and built up an own post-crisis instrument; is highly preoccupied by the lack of control of EU funds implemented by certain UN agencies and the unwillingness by UN agencies to follow up on fraud cases where EU funds are involved;
Amendment 62 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Section headed 'Sectoral issues' – before the subsection headed 'Agriculture and natural resources' – subheading (new)
Section headed 'Sectoral issues' – before the subsection headed 'Agriculture and natural resources' – subheading (new)
Own resources
Amendment 63 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 a (new)
Paragraph 50 a (new)
Amendment 64 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 b (new)
Paragraph 50 b (new)
50b. Draws attention to paragraph 93 of its resolution of 24 April 2007 on the discharge granted to the Commission for 2005 (OJ C 74 E, 20 March 2008, p. 292), in which it pointed out that allocated Financial Intermediation Services Indirectly Measured (FISIM) will automatically be included in the own resource decision, for GNI own resource purposes, since, in its proposal for a Council decision on the system of the European Communities' own resources (COM(2006)0099), the Commission entered no limiting reservation in that respect;
Amendment 65 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 c (new)
Paragraph 50 c (new)
50c. Notes that the Council, when adopting its decision of 7 June 2007 on the system of the European Communities' own resources (OJ L 163, 23 June 2007, p. 17) on the basis of the Commission proposal (COM(2006)0099), likewise entered no limiting reservation concerning FISIM; expects, therefore, that when the new own resources decision comes into force, and backdated to 1 January 2007, GNI data including FISIM will be used to calculate Community own resources and that, on that basis, past and future payments by the Member States will be calculated afresh;
Amendment 145 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Follow-up measures in the light of the discharge
Amendment 146 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 127 a (new)
Paragraph 127 a (new)
127a. Deplores the fact that, in the annual accounts of the European Communities for the financial year 2007, the Commission fails to repeat in full the provisions of the EC Treaty on follow-up measures in the light of the discharge, stating merely (see OJ C 287, 10 November 2008, p. 9) that when granting discharge Parliament may highlight observations it considers important, often recommending actions that the Commission should take concerning these matters; notes that, although this is correct, the Commission fails to mention that Article 276 of the EC Treaty also requires the Commission to take all appropriate steps to act on the observations in Parliament's decisions giving discharge relating to the execution of expenditure; reminds the Commission, therefore, that the calls made in its discharge resolution are not simply non- binding recommendations, but instructions which the Commission must act on when implementing the budget;
Amendment 10 #
2008/2063(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Welcomes the strengthening of the legal basis for the adoption of EU measures in the fields of the prevention of and fight against fraud affecting the financial interests of the Union (Art.icle 325 of the TFEU); highlights the fact that the Treaty of Lisbon removes the qualification, contained in the current Article 280 of the EC Treaty, that such measures ‘shall not concern the application of national criminal law or the national administration of justice’;
Amendment 1 #
2008/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)
Citation 14 a (new)
- having regard to the response by the European Court of Auditors to the Commission's communication "Reforming the Budget, Changing Europe" (SEC(2007)1188),
Amendment 12 #
2008/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that this Parliament has intensively contributed to the setting-up of the 2007-2013 multi-annual financial framework and IIA of 17 May 2006 on Budgetary Discipline and Sound Financial Management while, in parallel, allowing the continuity of EU legislation through the launching of a huge number of multi- annual programmes; in this context, is of the opinion that some broad principles and orientations based on past experience could be transmitted to the incoming Parliament; invites in particular the incoming Parliament to increase its attention on the serious accountability problems on the control side of the budget and to give itself the necessary means to improve the situation;
Amendment 15 #
2008/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Regrets however deeply that the Commission has failed to produce a common model for the drawing-up of future national management declarations is as far as such a model would have been a very helpful instrument for those Member States who are producing such declarations on a voluntary basis;
Amendment 18 #
2008/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls its awareness of the fact that a number of deficits remained unresolved in the final agreement - such as the introduction of national management declarations; stresses that the need for additional financing for EU political priorities, notably for Galileo, the EIT and the food facility arose and a solution was found by means of the existing instruments of the IIA of 17 May 2006; believes that further adjustments within the current MFF and IIA based on a sufficient and ambitious review will be necessary;
Amendment 37 #
2008/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
Amendment 41 #
2008/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses that sound financial management, improved management by the Member States and matching political priorities and financial needs should remain a priority for the coming years; and that this objective should be pursued through prior identification of positive and negative priorities rather than through self- imposed ceilings;
Amendment 48 #
2008/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Reiterates its will to see a concrete and rapid improvement of the Member States' implementation of EU policies and of the cohesion policy in particular; firmly expects the joint commitment made by the Commission and the Council on behalf of the Member States in November 2008 to simplify the procedures (notably of the ETS) in order to accelerate payments, and to produce a positive effect in the coming budgets; is ready to take political and administrative measures, should the current situation remain unchanged;
Amendment 72 #
2008/2055(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Recalls that heading 4 "The EU as a global partner" remains chronically underfinanced; asks the Commission to make proposals for a long-term perspective financing for CFSP/ESDP in order to secure the means dedicated to this policy area and to avoid recurrent and endless negotiations with the Council during the annual budgetary procedures; is in favour of providing additional means for Defence Policy subject to adequate discharge procedures;
Amendment 51 #
2008/2025(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54 a (new)
Paragraph 54 a (new)
54a. Takes note of the progressing reform process for the European schools and in particular of the opening of the system, triggered recently by the Commission, and fully supports it; recalls point 47 of the IIA which provides for the same procedure to be followed for new European Schools as for possible new agencies; urges Member States and the Commission to face the logical and practical implications of the agreed decisions and make sure that they fulfil their obligations;
Amendment 44 #
2007/2055(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
Paragraph 61
Amendment 44 #
2007/2054(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
Paragraph 61
Amendment 47 #
2007/2053(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
Paragraph 61
Amendment 48 #
2007/2053(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62
Paragraph 62
Amendment 49 #
2007/2053(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63
Paragraph 63
Amendment 50 #
2007/2053(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64
Paragraph 64
Amendment 51 #
2007/2053(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65
Paragraph 65
Amendment 52 #
2007/2053(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66
Paragraph 66
Amendment 47 #
2007/2052(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
Paragraph 61
Amendment 48 #
2007/2052(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62
Paragraph 62
Amendment 49 #
2007/2052(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63
Paragraph 63
Amendment 50 #
2007/2052(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64
Paragraph 64
Amendment 51 #
2007/2052(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65
Paragraph 65
Amendment 52 #
2007/2052(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66
Paragraph 66
Amendment 53 #
2007/2052(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67
Paragraph 67
Amendment 54 #
2007/2052(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68
Paragraph 68
Amendment 44 #
2007/2048(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 a (new)
Paragraph 60 a (new)
60a. Congratulates the Director and his staff for the work done in a very difficult environment, which has considerably improved the image of the EU and its visibility;
Amendment 45 #
2007/2048(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 b (new)
Paragraph 60 b (new)
60b. Considers that the Agency has not only the systems (logistics, IT systems, and others) to implement swiftly large amounts of support in post-conflict areas, but that it has especially also proven high levels of expertise and know-how in post- war reconstruction;
Amendment 46 #
2007/2048(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 c (new)
Paragraph 60 c (new)
60c. Is convinced that, at the point where the Commission takes over the management of the new Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance in view of the acquis-related tasks related to the Balkans, it should finally present to the Council a new mandate for the Agency, which should, as decided, finish its work in the Balkans by the end of 2008 and be converted into a truly European Agency for external actions;
Amendment 47 #
2007/2048(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 d (new)
Paragraph 60 d (new)
60d. Considers that a new mandate for this successful agency would be the most efficient way to carry out the new tasks in external actions, which cannot be carried out by Commission services in Brussels or by Commission delegations;
Amendment 48 #
2007/2048(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 e (new)
Paragraph 60 e (new)
60e. Considers that, with this new mandate, the Agency could play a most efficient role in areas where traditional development assistance cannot be implemented; considers also that this would significantly increase the EU's visibility;
Amendment 108 #
2006/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation - amending act
Article 1 - point 10 a a) (new)
Article 1 - point 10 a a) (new)
Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999
Article 11 - paragraph 6
Article 11 - paragraph 6
(aa) paragraph 6 shall be replaced by the following: "6. The Supervisory Committee shall appoint its chairman. It shall adopt its own rules of procedure. It shall hold at least 10 meetings per year. It shall take its decisions by a majority of its members. Its secretariat shall be attached, for administrative purposes, to the General Secreteriat of the European Parliament. The staff of the secretariat shall be composed of officials seconded by the Community institutions pursuant to Article 37(a) of the Staff Regulations. They shall perform their duties under the authority of the chairman of the Supervisory Committee."