The European Parliament decided to grant discharge to the Director of the Translation Centre for the Bodies of the European Union (CdT) in regard to the implementation of the Centres budget for the 2016 financial year and to approve the closure of the accounts for the financial year in question.
Noting that the Court of Auditors has stated that it has obtained reasonable assurances that the Centres annual accounts for the financial year 2016 are reliable and that the underlying transactions are legal and regular, Parliament adopted by 560 votes to 127 with 8 abstentions, a resolution containing a series of recommendations, which form an integral part of the decision on discharge and which add to the general recommendations set out in the resolution on performance, financial management and control of EU agencies:
Members also made a series of observations regarding commitments and carry-overs, staff policy, internal audits, the prevention and management of conflicts of interests and performances of the Centre.
In particular, they recommended that the gender imbalance in favour of women who, in 2016, represented 61.64 % of the workforce should be addressed and redressed as soon as possible. They also noted the fact that the Centre has so far complied with the target of a 5% staff reduction (plus 5% as a cruising speed agency) from 2014 to 2018. They insisted that the Centre must have the resources required to deliver a first-class translation and language service and advised against future cuts to the Centres budget or establishment plan.
With regard to preventing conflicts of interest, Members emphasised the need to establish an independent body with sufficient budgetary resources to support whistleblowers wishing to disclose information on possible irregularities negatively impacting on the Unions financial interests, while ensuring their confidentiality is protected.
Lastly, Parliament reiterated its unwavering commitment to multilingualism in the Union as a key platform for engaging with citizens and, as such, as an essential condition for the success of the Unions democratic system.