2014 discharge: EU general budget, European Data Protection Supervisor

The Committee on Budgetary Control adopted the report by Monica MACOVEI (ECR, RO) calling on the European Parliament to give discharge to the European Data Protection Supervisor in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2014.

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 Supervisor. The Court concluded that the payments as a whole for the year ended on 31 December 2014 for administrative and other expenditure of the institutions and bodies were free from material error.

Budget and financial management: Members note that in 2014 the Supervisor had a total allocated budget of EUR 8 012 953 (EUR 7 661 409 in 2013) and that the implementation rate was 92 % (84.7 % in 2013). They welcome the improved result.

• Members note that all open recommendations made by the Internal Audit Service were closed in 2014, including that on securing the data contained in complaints.
• Further to the recommendations, a Procurement Plan was adopted for the first time for the year 2014. Members encourage the Supervisor to improve its financial autonomy.
• Members regret that the Supervisor did not make available full information about its policy on conflicts of interest. They urge the Supervisor to adhere to the rules covered by the Staff Regulations and to lay down clear, binding rules regarding "revolving doors".
• They note the cut to the budget lines for translation, publications and activities of the Supervisor.
• They call on the Supervisor to reduce appropriations allocated to missions, travel and other ancillary expenditure.
• They ask the Supervisor to include in its Annual Activity Report (AAR) for 2015 information on

-          internal rules concerning whistleblowing,

-          a list of all contracts awarded in which it has participated, even if launched by other institutions, and their procedures and selection criteria

-          a scoreboard on the results of its use of key performance indicators to assess the efficient use of resources

-          its building policy, since it is important that the costs of such a policy be properly rationalised and not excessive

-          an exhaustive table of all human resources.