The European Parliament decided to grant discharge to the European Data Protection Supervisor in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Court for the financial year 2014.
In its resolution accompanying the decision on discharge, adopted 513 votes to 106 with 14 abstentions, Parliament noted the conclusion of the Court of Auditors that the payments as a whole for the year ended 31 December 2014 for administrative and other expenditure of the European Data Protection Supervisor were free from material error and that the supervisory and control systems examined for administrative and other expenditure were effective.
Furthermore, no serious weaknesses had been identified in respect to the audited topics related to the human resources and procurement for the Supervisor.
Budget and financial management: Parliament 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). It welcomed the improved result. It noted the cut to the budget lines for translation, publications and activities of the Supervisor.
Actions of the EDPS: Members noted 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 internal audit recommendations and according to the Supervisor's Strategic Internal Audit Plan, a Procurement Plan was adopted for the first time for the year 2014; the Supervisor was encouraged to improve its financial autonomy.
Members regretted that the Supervisor did not make available full information about its policy on conflicts of interest. It urged the Supervisor to adhere to the Staff Regulations, to lay down clear binding rules regarding “revolving doors” and to make that information available to Parliament.
They also wanted:
Lastly, Parliament asked the Supervisor to include in its annual activity report (“AAR”) for 2015: