Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council - IDA II Evaluation
Date: 2001-09-14
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: access to information, administrative cooperation, data transmission, electronic mail, exchange of information, telecommunications, trans-European network

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 14.9.2001
COM(2001) 507 final

2001/0210 (COD)
2001/0211 (COD)

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION
TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL

IDA II Evaluation

Proposal for a

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

amending Decision No 1719/1999/EC on a series of guidelines, including the
identification of projects of common interest, for trans-European networks for the
electronic interchange of data between administrations (IDA)

Proposal for a

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

amending Decision No 1720/1999/EC adopting a series of actions and measures in order
to ensure interoperability of and access to trans-European networks for the electronic
interchange of data between administrations (IDA)

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

The second phase of the IDA Programme (IDA II) was adopted by the European Parliament
and the Council in their Decisions No 1719/1999/EC1 (hereinafter the Guidelines decision)
and No 1720/1999/EC2 (hereinafter the Interoperability decision) of 12 July 1999. Article 9
and 13 respectively of the two decisions require the Commission to submit a first evaluation
of the IDA II Programme to the European Parliament and the Council no later than the draft
budget for the year 2001, together with any appropriate proposal for the amendment of the
Annex of the Guidelines decision and any appropriate proposal for the amendment of the
Interoperability decision.

Due to the late entry into force of the IDA II Decisions (August 1999) and the consequent late
adoption of the IDA 1999 Work programme (November 1999), the evaluation could only be
initiated in January 2000 and was finalised in September 2000. Having taken place at the start
of the IDA II Programme, the results of the evaluation represent, to a large extent, a baseline
the proposed
with which to compare the results of subsequent evaluations. As for
amendments to the two decisions, they are based on the evaluation, as well as the first one-
and-a-half year of experience in implementing the IDA II Programme and the context
provided by the e-Europe initiative and related action plan. As a consequence, the Proposal to
amend Decision No 1719/1999/EC also includes amendments to a number of articles of that
Decision.

For both Proposals to amend Decision No 1719/1999/EC and Decision No 1720/1999/EC,
three types of amendments can be distinguished: the first type stems from changes in legal
and political obligations and concerns an adaptation of
the committee procedure in
accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28.6.19993 and extension of the IDA II
programme to Malta and Turkey, as well as providing the possibility for candidate countries
and non-member countries to use, at their own costs and under certain conditions, IDA
generic services.

The second type of amendment serves to improve some practical conditions and is related to
the implementation clause, the introduction of a financial reference for the period 2002-2004
and as far as the Proposal to amend Decision No 1720/1999/EC is concerned, also to the
spread of best practice. Regarding the financial reference it has to be reminded that in
Article 12 of Decision No 1719/1999/EC and Article 15 of Decision No 1720/1999/EC
currently in force a financial framework is set only for the period 1998-2000.

And the third type is based on the requirements resulting from new initiatives, notably the
e-Europe action plan (in particular the chapter on Government online), and as far as the
Proposal to amend Decision No 1719/1999/EC is concerned, also the need to extend the areas
where new telematic networks can be established, in particular to include networks in the
field of education and judicial affairs.

1

2

3

Decision no 1719/1999/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 1999 on a series
of guidelines, including the identification of projects of common interest, for trans-European networks
for the electronic interchange of data between administrations (IDA), OJ L 203, 3.8.1999, p. 1.
Decision no 1720/1999/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 1999 adopting a
series of actions and measures in order to ensure interoperability of and access to trans-European
networks for the electronic interchange of data between administrations (IDA), OJ L 203, 3.8.1999,
p. 9.
OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

2

The European Parliament and the Council are requested to adopt the Proposals for European
Parliament and Council Decisions amending Decision No 1719/1999/EC and Decision
No 1720/1999/EC.

3

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION
TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL

IDA II Evaluation

Decision No 1719/1999/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of
12 July 1999 and Decision No 1720/1999/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 12 July 1999

1.

1.1.

1.2.

1.3.

1.4.

4

5

6

INTRODUCTION

the

first phase of

IDA Programme

The
(Interchange of Data between
Administrations) was launched in 1995 through Council Decision 95/468/EC. The
aim of the programme was to promote the electronic exchange of information between
administrations, in order to support the functioning of the internal market and the
implementation of a wide range of Community decisions4. This first phase established a
number of important networks in areas such as employment, health, agriculture,
fisheries, statistics and competition.

The second phase of the IDA Programme (IDA II) was adopted by the European
Parliament and the Council in their Decisions No 1719/1999/EC5 (hereinafter the
Guidelines decision, providing the legal basis for Projects of Common Interests –
referred to as sectoral networks) and No 1720/1999/EC6
PCIs - hereinafter
(hereinafter the Interoperability decision, providing the legal basis for Horizontal
Actions and Measures - HAMs) of 12 July 1999.

Article 9 and 13 respectively of the two decisions require the Commission to submit
an evaluation of the IDA II Programme to the European Parliament and the Council,
no later than the draft budgets for the year 2001, 2003 and 2005 respectively,
together with any appropriate proposal for the amendment of the annex of the
Guidelines decision and any appropriate proposal for
the amendment of the
Interoperability decision.

Due to the late entry into force of the IDA II Decisions and the consequent late
adoption of the 1999 IDA work programme (November 1999), the evaluation could
only be initiated in January 2000. The evaluation was performed by the Commission
with the assistance of a team of independent experts, coming from a consortium of
two consultancy companies (Anite and White Waghorn).

The main objective of the IDA programme is to support the EU-level business of administrations,
notably the implementation of Community policies, inter-institutional communication and Community
decision-making process. IDA therefore serves the Community, with the administrations as the users of
its networks and systems and the citizens and businesses of the EU as the ultimate beneficiaries.
Decision no 1719/1999/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 1999 on a series
of guidelines, including the identification of projects of common interest, for trans-European networks
for the electronic interchange of data between administrations (IDA), OJ L 203, 3.8.1999, p. 1.
Decision no 1720/1999/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 1999 adopting a
series of actions and measures in order to ensure interoperability of and access to trans-European
networks for the electronic interchange of data between administrations (IDA), OJ L 203, 3.8.1999,
p. 9.

4

1.5.

1.6.

2.

2.1.

2.2.

2.3.

On the basis of the work performed by the consultants7, the Commission finalised the
results of the evaluation and, at the meeting of 28.9.2000, presented them for
examination to the Telematics between Administrations Committee (TAC),
in
accordance with the provisions of Article 9(3) of Decision No 1719/1999/EC and
Article 13(3) of Decision No 1720/1999/EC.

The evaluation is based on a short period of experience in implementing the IDA II
programme and serves as a baseline for the future evaluations. The results of the
IDA II evaluation are presented in this Communication. In parallel, the Commission
proposes amendments to the Guidelines and the Interoperability Decisions, taking
into account the results of the evaluation and the experience gathered during the first
one-and-a-half year of implementing IDA II, as well as the context provided by the
e-Europe initiative and related action plan.

GENERAL COMMENTS

The general comments made here are based on the observations, conclusions and
recommendations presented in the final report of the independent experts, which in
return are based on investigations made and inputs received from several Member
State administrations and Commission services (the observations, conclusions and
recommendations were discussed between the experts, the Commission and the TAC
at a number of ad hoc meetings).

The evaluation acknowledges the key role of the IDA programme in support of the
Community and, within IDA, the key role of Horizontal Actions and Measures
(HAMs) to ensure that the development of Projects of Common Interests (PCIs) is
faster, more cost-effective and compatible.

The PCIs (whether funded by IDA or not) must be seen as the HAMs’ principal
customers. Special effort must be applied by the Commission service managing the
IDA programme (with the support of the TAC) to understanding the common
requirements of the PCIs and acquiring and/or developing suitable horizontal tools
and services. The other services and sectoral committees should accept active
guidance and co-ordination from the IDA programme management and also to
contribute actively to the programme. This applies in principle to both IDA networks
and Other (non-IDA funded) Sectoral Networks (OSNs). There are indications that
this is already happening, but the trend needs to be actively encouraged if it is to
become truly embedded into IDA II.

2.4.

Regarding citizens and businesses, IDA II should:

–

–

Ensure and verify that citizens and industry benefit from IDA networks;

Encourage the introduction of citizens and industry as users wherever possible.

7

The final report of the consultants is available on the IDA web site http://europa.eu.int/ISPO/ida,
however, in view of the early stage, it does not outline progress achieved or benefits delivered under
IDA II.

5

2.5.

2.6.

In the context of e-Europe, and taking into account the subsidiarity principle, IDA
should promote direct access to government’s information and contribute to a
reduction of the administrative burden, at both national and EU level. Consideration
should be given to how IDA will establish and maintain appropriate consultation
links with business and citizens, e.g. through industry associations.

There is much competent, conscientious technical project management being
conducted within the IDA community. The total pool of knowledge and expertise is
impressive, and the opportunities that IDA can bring for cross-fertilisation in this
respect are among its great strengths. Effective technical project managers have
established a good understanding of the business, good links to the user community
and high-level user management commitment. This approach is underpinned by the
IDA Decisions and by the Global Implementation Plans (GIPs), but IDA can actively
advise on how to make it happen. It can also facilitate and further encourage the
necessary “people networking”, perhaps by arranging specific topic-based ad hoc
meetings, to complement the useful experience of routine meetings such as the
TESTA User Group.

On the national co-ordination within the Member States, the Commission takes the
view that the role of the Telematics between Administrations Committee (TAC) is
crucial. Some TAC members are less well connected to all sectors in their country.
Effective programme management requires that
this “people network” in each
country be strengthened where possible. The EC cannot insist on this point, given the
principle of subsidiarity. However, it can facilitate it by making up-to-date lists of
sectoral representatives available. Indeed,
in the context of this
evaluation, took a first step in this direction by collecting lists from sectoral project
managers and passing them to the TAC. Such collection and dissemination should be
conducted routinely in future.

the IDA Unit,

2.7.

In the short term, the availability of a catalogue of IDA generic services is an
excellent step, which is urgently required. This should not, however, be a legacy
catalogue, as IDA must
look for new common services, applications, tools and
techniques by:

–

–

–

Reviewing what the existing IDA projects and OSNs have done;

Reviewing market, national and other EC programme developments in a more
systematic way;

Assessing unsatisfied demand from the projects.

The catalogue should be regularly reviewed, not just to introduce new items based on
identified requirements, but also to remove items no longer needed due to national or
market developments.

2.8.

In its total lifetime of up to 7 years, starting with the conception of IDA I during
1993 and 1994, IDA has experienced two prolonged periods without a legal basis,
which has caused budgetary, management and planning uncertainty felt to a greater
or lesser extent by all of the stakeholders. In addition to offering a sound basis for a
re-oriented programme, the new Decisions should herald a period of greater stability
and predictability. In this context, a defined financial framework for the rest of the

6

2.9.

2.10.

2.11.

2.12.

2.13.

programme would assist planning, as would the ability to determine budget
allocation for larger projects over more than one year.

It is recommended that IDA continues to do everything possible to reduce the size
and complexity of procedures and documents, within the constraints imposed by the
IDA Decisions and official Community procedures. Some elements are likely to be
immutable, but other aspects are more under IDA’s control. The procedures should
not only be streamlined in order to reduce administrative overhead, but also to
provide for a more open allocation of funds to sectors. IDA should consider
formalising the process by which sectors compete for IDA funding. At the same
time,
reporting should be improved by a more regular collection of basic
information, notably on the status of projects and actions.

Committing funds should be seen much more strongly as just one (significant but
early) milestone in a project, rather than in some sense the endpoint. For example,
projects should report on achievements in relation to the expenditure that applies to
the reporting period, and they should not disappear from the work programme
because they are not seeking commitments in a particular year, when work is still
proceeding based on previous years’ commitments.

Through the Decisions and the Global Implementation Plans, IDA has already
encouraged sectoral project managers to extend their horizon to the operational phase
that follows implementation. In principle, IDA funding is not available for this phase
(although it can exceptionally be granted for a limited initial period). The
implications of this need to be worked through, to make sure that further new
projects – and 14 new ones have already emerged in IDA II – can be funded, while
existing projects are not starved of much-needed resources.

Further work should be done to improve the synergy with other Community
initiatives,
in particular Research & Development, Telecom Trans-European
Networks (TEN) and Other Sectoral Networks (OSN), including projects undertaken
by the Council and the European Parliament. It has been commented in the past that
the different approaches to funding and procurement present an obstacle as far as the
R&D sphere is concerned, but this does not need to prevent stronger links. Initial
meetings with DG Information Society (in relation to R&D for administrations,
TEN-Telecom and e-Europe) have already taken place. The co-ordination measures
should be routinely reported, not just verified by programme evaluation every two
years, and should cover all relevant EU actions.

In this connection, it has also been much commented that work is proceeding on
networks for other institutions, notably the Council and Parliament. Strong co-
ordination here is highly desirable and, as with “Other Sectoral Networks”, requires
both effective persuasion and marketing by IDA – the IDA Unit and the Commission
Secretariat General have already been collaborating to this end – and a willingness
on the part of the other institutions to be active participants in IDA. Under the
Swedish Presidency of the Council, first but constructive attempts have been made to
this end.

2.14.

The Commission wishes to underline here that as a point of principle for the future
evaluations, each IDA project should be encouraged to conduct periodic reviews or
surveys of user satisfaction and that the results should be collated into a programme
summary.

7

3.

3.1.

3.2.

3.3.

3.4.

3.5.

3.6.

SPECIFIC FINDINGS

It is recommended that further work should be done to improve the communication
within the IDA community by providing the sectors with user’s guides to the
the benefit of decision-makers and programme and project
Decisions,
management, as well as through the spread of best practice and by means of people
networking.

for

Regarding the issue of viewing the sectors as customers, greater effort should be put
in understanding the common requirements of PCIs and by regularly reviewing the
IDA catalogue of services, drawn up in the context of the HAMs. In particular, the
role and nature of the GIP for the rest of the programme should be reviewed in the
light of the experience and feedback of producing the first set. Getting the “people
networks” identified and established and making sure obligations are clear from the
start, are critical success factors for IDA projects.

In the context of constructing the five-year HAM work programme required by the
Interoperability Decision,
is recommended to completely review the HAM
objectives and the actions taken to achieve them. In this context, the definition
should be addressed of “common rules and procedures for bringing about technical
and administrative interoperability”, as mentioned in the Decision.

it

There should be a continuously maintained register (matrix) of the HAM outputs and
the projects that use them, incorporating contact details for the IDA and sectoral
project managers. Following on the TESTA success with telecommunications
services, the significant area of group working applications needs to be co-ordinated
and focused, with delivery to sectoral customers firmly in mind. The “spread of best
practice” activity could help in this respect.

The evaluators recommend that the programme actively monitors IDA PCIs and
OSNs, through having a nominated “shadow manager” taking a high-level, but
nonetheless technical, interest in developments and acting as the main contact point
between the service managing the IDA programme and the project, such that IDA’s
HAM offerings can be designed in relation to practical sectoral needs and can be
effectively promoted. This would be a boosted and extended role for the existing
“Associated Manager”. Sustained effort needs to be applied to actively involving the
OSNs in IDA. The OSN inventory and the contact network should be used and
maintained.

Furthermore, it is recommended that IDA II should monitor, report on and evaluate
any previously funded but still ongoing projects, unless they are clearly outside the
logical scope of the programme. The level of influence that IDA II can exert on
actions initiated before it started is limited. However, it is still possible to assess
them against programme objectives and priorities whose definition came later, while
acknowledging that some may not conform to the extent that IDA II actions could be
expected to.

8

3.7.

As far as monitoring and reporting are concerned, the following is recommended:

–

–

activities

and budget

A periodic report on all projects, synchronised with the yearly work
programme
and
is in any case a
achievements). Note that an annual programme report
requirement of the Guidelines Decision. A Programme Support Office (PSO)
could be established to help with such actions, offering specific practical
support to the IDA Associated Manager (or “shadow manager”) and the
sectoral project manager;

(and focusing on expenditure

A yearly report on the uptake of the outputs of horizontal actions and measures
by all sectoral projects (covering both IDA and other sectoral networks).

3.8.

3.9.

3.10.

It is recommended that IDA II annual reports and biennial evaluations, required in
the Decisions, consider presenting expenditure per project, as well as commitment, in
order to make it easier to match the outputs to the money employed in their
achievement. This would be more in line with private-sector project accounting
principles.

The identification of measurable objectives, and the consequent “instrumentation” of
the projects, should be pursued with greater vigour, having been started already in
some GIPs and some work on analysis of costs and benefits (cf. TESS, EUDRA and
EUPHIN projects). This is an area where the Commission service managing the IDA
programme should continue to offer active assistance. It is especially important that
the business case for the technical developments be identified and followed up.

The Commission service managing the IDA programme should consider formalising
the process by which sectors compete for IDA funding. This service would issue an
internal call and each sector would submit its proposal, explaining the objective and
how HAM services and tools would be used to help achieve it. Evaluation criteria
could include specific mention of the objectives and priorities of the programme,
including for example the delivery of benefits to citizens and businesses.

In general, delegation of budget to the sectoral Directorates-General brings contract
management and technical management closer together, which is beneficial, and
allows the Commission service managing the IDA programme to focus its resources
on co-ordination aspects such as: understanding sectoral needs, understanding better
the needs and views of Member State administrations (and also citizens and
businesses), and designing and implementing the actions that will help promote
interoperability and the spread of good practices. But this service must make sure
that it does not do this from an ivory tower. It is recommended in particular that it:

–

–

–

–

Actively monitors IDA PCIs and OSNs;

Actively monitors developments in each country;

Organises TAC sub-group meetings in Member States as often as possible;

Considers organising an IDA II review meeting/conference.

9

4.

4.1.

4.2.

CONCLUSIONS

The Commission considers the evaluation results a useful assessment of the IDA II
Programme as a whole and the projects and actions launched under it. These results
are based on the conclusions and recommendations of the final evaluation report and
serve as a baseline for future evaluations.

In parallel with the evaluation and immediately after, steps have already been taken:
A catalogue of IDA generic services and a user’s guide have been drawn up, a call
for contributions to the IDA WP has been launched and, in the context of e-Europe, a
portal for the EU administrations is being developed and a benchmarking action in
the field of electronic delivery of public services with trans-border aspects is being
undertaken.

4.3.

As far as the recommendation to monitor IDA PCIs and OSNs is concerned
(ref. 3.5), the following twofold approach has been taken:

–

–

Involvement
in the preparations of
understanding of sectoral requirements;

the GIPs has resulted in a better

Dissemination of the catalogue of IDA generic services is leading to a higher
take-up by the sectors of the IDA services available.

At the same time, a standard for PCIs and HAMs to report is being defined and will
be attached to the revision of the Work Programme 2001. This reporting supports the
projects in getting additional funding and serves as a basis for the next evaluation.
Furthermore, co-ordination with the Council has started, as well as co-ordination
with other EC programmes, notably R&D and TEN Telecom.

4.4.

Based on the evaluation and the experience gathered during the first one-and-a-half
year of the IDA II programme, as well as the context provided by the e-Europe
initiative, the Commission has prepared amendments to European Parliament and
Council Decision No 1719/1999/EC and Decision No 1720/1999/EC.

10

2001/0210 (COD)

Proposal for a

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

amending Decision No 1719/1999/EC on a series of guidelines, including the
identification of projects of common interest, for trans-European networks for the
electronic interchange of data between administrations (IDA)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the first
paragraph of Article 156 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission8,

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee9,

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions10,

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty11,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

The objective of Decision No 1719/1999/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council12 is for the Community, in co-operation with the Member States, to take the
necessary measures to establish operational, interoperable, trans-European telematic
networks between Member State administrations and the Community institutions,
enabling the efficient, effective and secure interchange of information in order to
support the establishment of economic and monetary union and the implementation of
Community policies, as well as the Community decision-making process.

Priority should be given to those projects which enhance the economic viability of
public administrations, European Community institutions, Member States and the
regions, and which, by means of the establishment or enhancement of sectoral
networks, contribute to the objectives of the e-Europe initiative and related action
plan, in particular the chapter on Government online, aimed to the benefit of citizens
and enterprises.

8

9

10

11

12

OJ C …
OJ C …
OJ C …
Opinion of the European Parliament.
OJ L 203, 3.8.1999, p. 1.

11

(3)

(4)

For reasons of legal certainty, it is appropriate to make express provision for the
possibility of reviewing the section of the IDA work programme concerning the
implementation of Decision No 1719/1999/EC during the year of reference. For the
implementation of the Community Actions set out in Articles 3 to 6 of Decision
No 1719/1999/EC it should be clarified that proposals for any budgetary increase of
more than EUR 250 000 per project line within a year are subject to the committee
procedure referred to in that Decision.

Following the interest expressed by Malta and Turkey, the IDA programme may be
opened to participation by these countries in projects of common interest. Before the
IDA programme has been opened up for participation to all candidate countries, the
possibility for these countries to use at their costs IDA generic services should be
facilitated, provided that an interchange of data with these countries is necessary for
the implementation of the Community policy. This possibility should also be admitted
for other non-member countries, under the same conditions.

(5) With a view to creating more flexibility in the annual budget allocation, a financial
reference amount for the implementation of the Community action under Decision
No 1719/1999/EC for the period 2002 to 2004 should be introduced, with the annual
appropriations being authorised by the budgetary authority within the limit of the
financial perspective.

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

Implementation of networks which facilitate the co-operation between judicial
authorities, should in general be considered projects of common interest under the
IDA programme.

Telematic networks in the area of education, notably for the exchange of information
concerning content issues on open networks and to promote the development and free
circulation of new audio-visual and information services, should be considered
projects of common interest under the IDA programme.

Telematic networks contributing to the objectives of the e-Europe initiative and related
action plan, in particular the chapter on Government online, aimed to the benefit of
citizens and enterprises, should be considered projects of common interest under the
IDA programme.

networks

concerning

the
Telematic
implementation
national
administrations in order to facilitate information and consultation procedures, should
be considered projects of common interest under the IDA programme.

policy,
notably
exchange with

immigration
data

through
the

electronic

improved

of

(10)

Provisions of Decision No 1719/1999/EC concerning the committee procedure should
be adapted to take account of Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28.6.1999 laying
down the procedures for the exercise of implementing power conferred on the
Commission13.

(11) Decision No 1719/1999/EC should be amended accordingly,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

13

OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

12

Article 1

Decision No 1719/1999/EC is amended as follows:

1.

The following point h) is added to Article 4:

“h) contribute to the objectives of the e-Europe initiative and related action plan, in
particular the chapter on Government online, aimed to the benefit of citizens and
enterprises.”

2.

Article 7(2), (3) and (4) are replaced by the following:

"2. The procedure referred to in Article 8 shall apply in respect of the approval, on
the basis of compliance with the priorities established in Article 4 and the principles
laid down in Article 5, of the section of the IDA work programme concerning the
implementation of this Decision, which the Commission shall draw up at yearly
intervals and which may be reviewed during the year of reference. The IDA work
programme shall include a breakdown of past expenditure by project for the previous
year(s).

3. The procedure referred to in Article 8 shall apply in respect of the approval, on the
basis of its compliance with the principles laid down in Article 5, of the preparatory
report and of the global implementation plan of each IDA project at the end of the
feasibility phase and at the end of the development and validation phase, as well as
the approval of any subsequent substantial amendments to that implementation plan.

4. The procedure referred to in Article 8 shall apply in respect of the approval, on the
basis of the priorities laid down in Article 4 and the principles laid down in Articles 5
and 6, of the breakdown by project of the yearly budgetary expenditure under this
Decision. Proposals for any budgetary increase of more than EUR 250 000 per
project line within a year, shall also be subject to that procedure.”

3.

Article 8 is replaced by the following:

“Article 8

Committee

1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee called the Telematics between
Administrations Committee (TAC), composed of representatives of the Member
States and chaired by the representative of the Commission.

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, the management procedure laid down
in Article 4 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, in compliance with Article 7 and
Article 8 thereof.

3. The period provided for in Article 4 (3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be three
months.”

13

4.

Article 10 is replaced by the following:

“Article 10

Extension to the EEA and associated countries

1. The IDA programme may be opened, within the framework of their respective
agreements with the European Community, to participation by the countries of the
European Economic Area and the associated countries of central and eastern Europe,
Cyprus, Malta and Turkey in projects of common interest which are relevant to such
agreements.

2. In the course of implementing projects, co-operation with non-member countries
and with international organisations or bodies, as appropriate, shall be encouraged.

3. Before the IDA programme has been opened up for their participation,
the
associated countries of central and eastern Europe, Cyprus, Malta and Turkey may
use at their own costs IDA generic services, provided that an interchange of data with
these countries is required for the implementation of a Community policy.

4. Other non-member countries may also use at their own costs IDA generic services
to the extent that an interchange of data with these countries is required for the
implementation of a Community policy.”

5.

Article 12 is replaced by the following:

“Article 12

Financial reference amount

1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the Community action
under this Decision for the period 2002 to 2004 shall be EUR 39,8 million.

2. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within
the limit of the financial perspective.”

6.

In the Annex, section A, the following point 6 is added:

“6. Implementation of networks which facilitate the co-operation between judicial
authorities.”

7.

In the Annex, section B, point 10 is replaced by the following:

information,
“10. Telematic networks in the areas of education and culture,
communication, and audio-visual sector, notably for the exchange of information
concerning content issues on open networks and to promote the development and
free circulation of new audio-visual and information services.”

8.

In the Annex, section B, the following points 13 and 14 are added:

“13. Telematic networks contributing to the objectives of the e-Europe initiative and
related action plan, in particular the chapter on Government online, aimed to the
benefit of citizens and enterprises.

14

14. Telematic networks concerning immigration policy, notably through the
exchange with the national
implementation of
administrations in order to facilitate information and consultation procedures.”

improved electronic data

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the
European Communities.

Article 2

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the European Parliament
The President

For the Council
The President

15

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

1.

TITLE OF OPERATION

Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending
Decision No 1719/1999/EC 14 (hereinafter the Guidelines Decision)

2.

BUDGET HEADING(S) INVOLVED

B5-7210 (Networks for the interchange of data between administrations – IDA)

3.

LEGAL BASIS

Article 156 of the EC-Treaty - Decision No 1719/1999/EC of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 1999

4.

4.1

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION

General objective

The general objective of Decision No 1719/1999/EC is for the Community, in co-
operation with the Member States, to take the necessary measures to establish
operational, interoperable, trans-European telematic networks between Member State
administrations and the Community institutions, enabling the efficient, effective and
secure interchange of information in order to support the establishment of economic
and monetary union and the implementation of Community policies, as well as the
Community decision-making process.

The objective of the present Proposal is to fulfil the requirement laid down in
Article 9 of Decision No 1719/1999/EC to submit a first evaluation of
the
implementation of that Decision to the European Parliament and the Council,
together with any appropriate proposal for the amendment of the Annex of that
Decision. It should be noted, however,
to amend Decision
No 1719/1999/EC also includes amendments to a number of articles of that Decision,
taking into account the evaluation results, as well as the first one-and-a-half year of
experience in implementing the Decision and the context provided by the e-Europe
initiative and related action plan.

the Proposal

that

14

Decision No 1719/1999/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 1999 on a series
of guidelines, including the identification of projects of common interest, for trans-European networks
for the electronic interchange of data between administrations (IDA), OJ L 203, 3.8.1999, p. 1.

16

4.2

Period covered and arrangements for renewal

IDA Decision No 1719/1999/EC

In
until
31 December 2004) the financial framework for the programme is set for the period
1998-2000. In fact, at the time the Council did not consider it appropriate to set a
financial framework for more than the first 3 years of the application period of the
Decision. The financial coverage for the subsequent years was apparently expected
to take place as part of a rolling plan.

from 3.8.1999

(applying

Further to the results of the first IDA II evaluation and consultation of the Telematics
between Administrations Committee (TAC), it was decided to use the opportunity of
amending Decision No 1719/1999/EC to provide a clear financial framework for the
period 2002-2004.

5.

5.1

CLASSIFICATION OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE

Compulsory/Non-compulsory expenditure

DNO

5.2

Differentiated/Non-differentiated appropriations

CD

5.3

Type of revenue involved

There are no revenues expected.

6.

TYPE OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE

As a general rule, the funding will be used to purchase information technology and
telecommunication services
from the market. The projects under Decision
No 1719/1999/EC will be launched further to the publication of Calls for Tender or
the use of lists of IT service providers, as well as on the basis of specific agreements
established within existing framework contracts. The type of projects include the
following phases: Preparatory phase, feasibility phase, development and validation
phase and implementation phase.

7.

7.1

FINANCIAL IMPACT

Method of calculating total cost of operation (relation between individual and
total costs)

As a general rule, the level of funding per programme project will be 100% of the
total costs.

17

7.2

Itemised breakdown of cost

In 2001, the total amount allocated to the IDA Programme is EUR 24 million15, of
which an amount of EUR 12,9 million has been allocated to the section of the
of Decision
IDA 2001 Work Programme
No 1719/1999/EC.

implementation

concerning

the

Commitment appropriations EUR million (at current prices)

Breakdown

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

12,9

13,45

13,45

Total

12,9

13,45

13,45

Total

39,8

39,8

7.3

Operational expenditure for studies, experts, etc. included in Part B of the
budget

Commitment appropriations EUR million (at current prices)

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Total

– Studies

– Meetings of experts16

– Information and
publications

0,5

0,2

0,5

0,2

0,5

0,2

Total

0,7

0,7

0,7

1,5

0,6

2,1

15

16

Not including the contributions from the EEA countries.
Costs satisfying the criteria in the Commission communication of 22.4.1992 (SEC(92) 769).

18

2002
2003
2004
2005
2006

Total

7.4

Schedule of commitment and payment appropriations

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Commitment appropriations

12,9

13,45

13,45

Payment appropriations

25%

55%
25%

20%
55%
25%

20%
55%

20%

EUR million

Total

39,8

100%
100%
100%

3,22

10,46

13,34

10,09

2,69

39,8

8.

FRAUD PREVENTION MEASURES

Control will be exercised by:

–

–

–

The Commission services responsible for the evaluation of tenders, contract
awarding and project management. In particular in the evaluation of the
tenders, inter-service evaluations teams will be established;

The ACPC, in relation to the application of the public procurement rule;

The Commission financial control.

External audits may be carried out by the Court of Auditors in accordance with the
Treaty establishing the European Community.

9.

9.1

ELEMENTS OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS

Specific and quantified objectives; target population

The objectives of projects under Decision No 1719/1999/EC are to support the
administration of the Internal Market, the implementation of Community policies and
the Community decision making process by means of telematic networks.

Target population: Administrations, Agencies, Institutions. A policy of quality
assurance will be implemented, to different projects and to IDA as a whole, in
particular in relation to cost-benefit analyses.

9.2

Grounds for the operation

Activities are co-operative and need to be carried out at European level. Operating
successfully the networks requires that all
the administrations concerned view
themselves and act as partners.

19

to a better
Spin-off and multiplier effects include: Apart
implementation of Community policies and a more efficient decision making
process, one can mention here the contribution to the modernisation of
administrations, the enhanced quality of pan-European co-operation, and the better
interface to citizens and enterprises.

from the support

9.3

Monitoring and evaluation of the operation

The progress of the projects under Decision No 1719/1999/EC will be monitored by
inter-service working groups and project management boards. Every two years, a
complete evaluation of the implementation of Decision No 1719/1999/EC will be
performed, for submission to the European Parliament and the Council, to establish
the progress and current status, examine the benefits yielded by the IDA sectoral
projects, and verify the synergy with other Community activities.

10.

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE (SECTION III, PART A OF THE BUDGET)

This section of the financial statement must be sent to DGs Administration and
Budget; DG Administration will then forward it to DG Budget with its opinion.

Actual mobilisation of the necessary administrative resources will depend on the
Commission’s annual decision on the allocation of resources, taking into account the
number of staff and additional amounts authorised by the budgetary authority.

10.1

Effect on the number of posts

Type of post

Staff to be assigned to managing
the operation

Source

Duration

Permanent
posts

Temporary
posts

Additional
resources

Existing
resources in
the DG or
department
concerned

A
B
C

Officials or
temporary staff

Other resources

Total

If additional resources are required, indicate the pace at which they will have to be made
available.

20

10.2

Overall financial impact of additional human resources

Amounts

Method of calculation

EUR

Officials

Temporary staff

Other resources (indicate
budget heading)

Total

The amounts given must express the total cost of additional posts for the entire duration of the
operation, if this duration is predetermined, or for 12 months if it is indefinite.

10.3

Increase in other administrative expenditure as a result of the operation

EUR

Budget heading

Amounts

Method of calculation

Total

The amounts given must correspond to total expenditure arising from the operation if its
duration is predetermined or expenditure for 12 months if it is indefinite.

21

2001/0211 (COD)

Proposal for a

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

amending Decision No 1720/1999/EC adopting a series of actions and measures in order
to ensure interoperability of and access to trans-European networks for the electronic
interchange of data between administrations (IDA)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular
Article 156 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission17,

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee18,

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions19,

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty20,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

17

18

19

20

21

The objective of Decision No 1720/1999/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council21 is for the Community to achieve a high degree of interoperability between
the trans-European telematic networks established between the Member States and the
Community institutions in order to support
the establishment of economic and
monetary union and the implementation of Community policies, as well as to achieve
substantial benefits for Member State administrations and the Community by
streamlining operations and speeding up implementation of new networks and
enhancements.

The benefits of trans-European telematic networks for administrations should be
extended to citizens and enterprises of the Community, notably in those areas where
this contributes to the objectives of the e-Europe initiative and related action plan, in
particular the chapter on Government online.

Regarding the spread of best practice, conferences, workshops and other types of
events should be organised in order to ensure general awareness of the achievements
and benefits of the IDA programme and the dissemination of IDA guidelines and
recommendations.

OJ C …
OJ C …
OJ C …
Opinion of the European Parliament.
OJ L 203, 3.8.1999, p. 9.

22

(4)

(5)

For the implementation of the Community Actions set out in Articles 3 to 10 of
Decision No 1720/1999/EC it should be clarified that proposals for any budgetary
increase of more than EUR 250 000 per project line within a year are subject to the
procedure referred to in that Decision.

Following the interest expressed by Malta and Turkey, the IDA programme may be
opened to participation by these countries in the horizontal actions and measures under
Decision No 1720/1999/EC. Before the IDA programme has been opened up for
participation to all candidate countries, the possibility for these countries to use at their
costs IDA generic services should be facilitated, provided that an interchange of data
with these countries is necessary for the implementation of a Community policy. This
possibility should also be admitted for other non-member countries, under the same
conditions.

(6) With a view to creating more flexibility in the annual budget allocation, a financial
reference amount for the implementation of the Community action under Decision
No 1720/1999/EC for the period 2002-2004 should be introduced, with the annual
appropriations being authorised by the budgetary authority within the limit of the
financial perspective.

(7)

Provisions of Decision No 1720/1999/EC concerning the committee procedure should
be adapted to take account of Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28.6.1999 laying
down the procedures for the exercise of implementing power conferred on the
Commission22.

(8)

Decision No 1720/1999/EC should be amended accordingly,

HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Decision No 1720/1999/EC is amended as follows:

1.

Article 1(d) is replaced by the following:

“d) The extension of the benefits of such networks, as mentioned in the previous
paragraph, to Community industry and citizens of the European Union, notably in
those areas where this contributes to the objectives of the e-Europe initiative and
related action plan, in particular the chapter on Government online;”

2.

The following paragraph 3 is added to Article 10:

“3. The Community shall organise conferences, workshops and other types of events
in order to ensure general awareness of the achievements and benefits of the IDA
programme and the dissemination of IDA guidelines and recommendations.”

22

OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

23

3.

Article 11(2), (3) and (4) are replaced by the following:

“2. The section of the IDA work programme concerning the implementation of this
Decision, which the Commission shall draw up for its entire duration and which shall
be reviewed at least twice a year, shall be approved, based on its compliance with the
relevant provisions of Articles 3 to 10, in accordance with the procedure referred to
in Article 12.

3. The common rules and procedures for bringing about technical and administrative
interoperability shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in
Article 12.

4. The procedure referred to in Article 12 shall also apply in respect of the approval
of the breakdown of the yearly budgetary expenditure under this Decision. Proposals
for any budgetary increase of more than EUR 250 000 per project line within a year
shall also be subject to that procedure.”

4.

Article 12 is replaced by the following:

“Article 12

Committee

1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee called the Telematics between
Administrations Committee (TAC), composed of representatives of the Member
States and chaired by the representative of the Commission.

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, the management procedure laid down
in Article 4 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, in compliance with Article 7 and
Article 8 thereof.

3. The period provided for in Article 4 (3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be three
months.”

5.

Article 14 is replaced by the following:

“Article 14

Extension to the EEA and associated countries

1. The IDA programme may be opened, within the framework of their respective
agreements with the European Community, to participation by the countries of the
European Economic Area and the associated countries of central and eastern Europe,
Cyprus, Malta and Turkey in the horizontal actions and measures under this
Decision.

2. In the course of implementing this Decision, co-operation with non-member
countries and with international organisations or bodies, as appropriate, shall be
encouraged.

24

3. Before the IDA programme has been opened up for their participation,
the
associated countries of central and eastern Europe, Cyprus, Malta and Turkey may
use at their own costs IDA generic services, provided that an interchange of data with
these countries is required for the implementation of a Community policy.

4. Other non-member countries may also use at their own costs IDA generic services
to the extent that an interchange of data with these countries is required for the
implementation of a Community policy.”

6.

Article 15 is replaced by the following:

“Article 15

Financial reference amount

1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the Community action
under this Decision for the period 2002-2004 shall be EUR 34,2 million.

2. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within
the limit of the financial perspective.”

Article 2

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. It shall
enter into force on the day of its publication.

Done at Brussels,

For the European Parliament
The President

For the Council
The President

25

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

1.

TITLE OF OPERATION

Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending
Decision No 1720/1999/EC23 (hereinafter the Interoperability Decision)

2.

BUDGET HEADING(S) INVOLVED

B5-7210 (Networks for the interchange of data between administrations – IDA)

3.

LEGAL BASIS

Article 156 of the EC-Treaty - Decision No 1720/1999/EC of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 1999

4.

4.1

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION

General objective

The objective of Decision No 1720/1999/EC is for the Community to achieve a high
degree of interoperability between the trans-European telematic networks established
between the Member States and the Community institutions in order to support the
establishment of economic and monetary union and the implementation of
Community policies, as well as to achieve substantial benefits for Member State
administrations and the Community by streamlining operations and speeding up
implementation of new networks and enhancements.

The objective of the present Proposal is to fulfil the requirement laid down in
Article 13 of Decision No 1720/1999/EC to submit a first evaluation of
the
implementation of that Decision to the European Parliament and the Council,
together with any appropriate proposal for the amendment of that Decision. It has to
be noted, however, that the Proposal to amend Decision No 1720/1999/EC is not
only based on the evaluation results, but also takes into account the first one-and-a-
half year of experience in implementing the Decision and the context provided by the
e-Europe initiative and related action plan.

23

Decision No 1720/1999/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 1999 adopting a
series of actions and measures in order to ensure interoperability of and access to trans-European
networks for the electronic interchange of data between administrations (IDA), OJ L 203, 3.8.1999,
p. 9.

26

4.2

Period covered and arrangements for renewal

In IDA Decision No 1720/1999/EC (applying from 3.8.1999 until 31.12.2004) the
financial framework for the programme is set for the period 1998-2000. In fact, at the
time the Council did not consider it appropriate to set a financial framework for more
than the first 3 years of the application period of the Decision. The financial coverage
for the subsequent years was apparently expected to take place as part of a rolling
plan.

Further to the results of the first IDA II evaluation and consultation of the Telematics
between Administrations Committee (TAC), it was decided to use the opportunity of
amending Decision No 1720/1999/EC to provide a clear financial framework for the
period 2002-2004.

5.

5.1

CLASSIFICATION OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE

Compulsory/Non-compulsory expenditure

DNO

5.2

Differentiated/Non-differentiated appropriations

CD

5.3

Type of revenue involved

There are no revenues expected.

6.

TYPE OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE

As a general rule, the funding will be used to purchase information technology and
telecommunication services from the market. The actions and measures under
Decision No 1720/1999/EC will be launched further to the publication of Calls for
Tender or the use of lists of IT service providers, as well as on the basis of specific
agreements established within existing framework contracts.

7.

7.1

FINANCIAL IMPACT

Method of calculating total cost of operation (relation between individual and
total costs)

As a general rule, the level of funding per programme project will be 100% of the
total costs.

27

7.2

Itemised breakdown of cost

In 2001, the total amount allocated to the IDA Programme is EUR 24 million24, of
which an amount of EUR 11,1 million has been allocated to the section of the
of Decision
IDA 2001 Work Programme
No 1720/1999/EC.

implementation

concerning

the

Commitment appropriations EUR million (at current prices)

Breakdown

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

11,1

11,55

11,55

Total

11,1

11,55

11,55

Total

34,2

34,2

7.3

Operational expenditure for studies, experts, etc. included in Part B of the
budget

Commitment appropriations EUR million (at current prices)

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Total

– Studies

– Meetings of experts 25

– Information and
publications

0,5

0,2

0,5

0,2

0,5

0,2

Total

0,7

0,7

0,7

1,5

0,6

2,1

24

25

Not including the contributions from the EEA countries.
Costs satisfying the criteria in the Commission communication of 22.4.1992 (SEC(92) 769).

28

2002
2003
2004
2005
2006

Total

7.4

Schedule of commitment and payment appropriations

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Commitment appropriations

11,1

11,55

11,55

Payment appropriations

25%

55%
25%

20%
55%
25%

20%
55%

20%

EUR million

Total

34,2

100%
100%
100%

2,78

8,99

11,46

8,66

2,31

34,2

8.

FRAUD PREVENTION MEASURES

Control will be exercised by:

–

–

–

The Commission services responsible for the evaluation of tenders, contract
awarding and project management. In particular in the evaluation of the
tenders, inter-service evaluations teams will be established;

The ACPC, in relation to the application of the public procurement rule;

The Commission financial control.

External audits may be carried out by the Court of Auditors in accordance with the
Treaty establishing the European Community.

9.

9.1

ELEMENTS OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS

Specific and quantified objectives; target population

The objectives of actions and measures under Decision No 1720/1999/EC are to
support the administration of the Internal Market, the implementation of Community
policies by means of telematic networks, and to ensure interoperability within and
across such networks.

Target population: Administrations, Agencies, Institutions. A policy of quality
assurance will be implemented, to different projects and to IDA as a whole, in
particular in relation to cost-benefit analyses.

9.2

Grounds for the operation

Activities are co-operative and need to be carried out at European level. Operating
the administrations concerned view
successfully the networks requires that all
themselves and act as partners.

29

Spin-off and multiplier effects include: Apart
to a better
implementation of Community policies, one can mention here the contribution to the
modernisation of administrations,
the enhanced quality of pan-European co-
operation, and the better interface to citizens and enterprises.

from the support

9.3

Monitoring and evaluation of the operation

a

years,

The progress of the actions and measures under Decision No 1720/1999/EC will be
monitored by inter-service working groups and project management boards. Every
two
of Decision
No 1720/1999/EC will be performed, for submission to the European Parliament and
the Council, to establish the progress and current status, examine the benefits yielded
by the IDA horizontal actions and measures, and verify the synergy with other
Community activities.

implementation

evaluation

complete

the

of

10.

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE (SECTION III, PART A OF THE BUDGET)

This section of the financial statement must be sent to DGs Administration and
Budget; DG Administration will then forward it to DG Budget with its opinion.

Actual mobilisation of the necessary administrative resources will depend on the
Commission’s annual decision on the allocation of resources, taking into account the
number of staff and additional amounts authorised by the budgetary authority.

10.1

Effect on the number of posts

Type of post

Staff to be assigned to managing
the operation

Source

Duration

Permanent
posts

Temporary
posts

Additional
resources

Existing
resources in
the DG or
department
concerned

Officials or
temporary staff

Other resources

A
B
C

1 (estimate)

1 (estimate)

Total

2

If additional resources are required, indicate the pace at which they will have to be made
available.

30

10.2

Overall financial impact of additional human resources

EUR

Amounts

Method of calculation

Officials

140,000

(100,000 for an A and 40,000 for a C official)

Temporary staff

Other resources (indicate
budget heading)

Total

140,000

The amounts given must express the total cost of additional posts for the entire duration of the
operation, if this duration is predetermined, or for 12 months if it is indefinite.

10.3

Increase in other administrative expenditure as a result of the operation

EUR

Budget heading

Amounts

Method of calculation

Total

The amounts given must correspond to total expenditure arising from the operation if its
duration is predetermined or expenditure for 12 months if it is indefinite.

31