P6_TA(2007)0237#Estimates of the European Parliament for 2008#European Parliament resolution of 7 June 2007 on Parliament's estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2008 (2007/2018(BUD))
Date: 2007-06-07
Institutions: Committee on Budgets, European Parliament
Subjects: European Parliament, general budget (EU), implementation of the budget

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P6_TA(2007)0237

Estimates of the European Parliament for 2008

European Parliament resolution of 7 June 2007 on Parliament's estimates of revenue and expendi-
ture for the financial year 2008 (2007/2018(BUD))

The European Parliament,

— having regard to Article 272(2) of the EC Treaty,

— having regard to Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial
the European Communities (1), and in particular

Regulation applicable to the general budget of
Article 31 thereof,

— having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament,

the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (2),

— having regard to its resolution of 29 March 2007 on the guidelines for the 2008 budget procedure —
Sections II, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII and IX — and on the European Parliament's preliminary draft estimates
(Section I) for the 2008 budget procedure (3),

— having regard to the Secretary-General's report to the Bureau on drawing up Parliament's preliminary

draft estimates for the financial year 2008,

— having regard to the preliminary draft estimates drawn up by the Bureau on 28 March 2007 pursuant

to Rules 22(6) and 73 of Parliament's Rules of Procedure,

— having regard to Rule 73 of its Rules of Procedure,

— having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets (A6-0202/2007),

A. whereas the rate of increase of heading 5 (administrative costs) of the multiannual framework for 2008

is 4,8 %, a figure higher than the inflation rate of 2 %,

B. whereas the 2008 budget should be aimed at the budgetary level of 2007, increased by the inflation

rate of 2 %, unless there are specific grounds to the contrary,

C. whereas 2008 is the last full year before the next elections to the European Parliament,

D. whereas the political priorities for 2008 are the provision of efficient services to Members to enable
better law-making, enhancement of the effectiveness of the communication tools of the European Par-
liament and its political groups and improvement of the budget allocation,

E. whereas the estimated costs of a number of new projects adopted by the Bureau on 28 March 2007

will remain unknown until the presentation of the amending letter in September;

Financial aspects

Recalls that the 2008 budget should be a ‘budget for the EU tax-payer’, aimed at responsible budgetary
1.
behaviour on the part of all actors involved in the process, with decisions on financial resources based on
solid reasoning;

(1) OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1995/2006 (OJ L 390,

13.12.2006, p. 1).

(2) OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.
(3) Texts Adopted, P6_TA(2007)0099.

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2.
Recalls that the recommendation for 2008 as adopted in its abovementioned resolution of 29 March
2007 is, on the one hand, to set the budget at the level which allows the most effective work to be provided
by the institution within a rational level of financial resources, on the basis of justified and real budgetary
needs, and, on the other hand, to limit the increase in the European Parliament's budget to the adjustment
of current prices;

3.
In this connection, highlights that the process of purchasing the European Parliament's premises in its
three places of work should, in the long term, lead to substantial savings for the EU tax-payer; is ready to
consider using the necessary part of the margin between the inflation rate and the rate of increase provided
for in the multiannual framework, depending on the financial needs arising from the specific situation of
ownership of Parliament's premises;

Recalls that in its abovementioned guidelines resolution,

it was agreed that all budgetary requests
4.
should be based on justified needs; notes that the budgetary authority has not been provided with suffi-
ciently detailed and precise information on all budgetary allocations; points out that the preliminary draft
estimates give an amount of EUR 55 000 000 in Chapter 10 6 (‘Reserve for priority projects under development’)
and EUR 10 300 000 for the pre-election campaign without providing any detailed justification for those
amounts; recalls that the guidelines emphasised that unless there is justification based on real needs, Parlia-
ment's budget for 2008 should be set at the level of 2007 taking into consideration adjustments to current
prices, ensuring in the process that the effective operation of the institution is not impaired; reiterates that
the 20 % level of Heading 5 should constitute the upper limit of the budget; is disappointed that the Bureau
set the level of the budget at EUR 1 491 400 000 which represents the full 20 % of Heading 5;

5.
Emphasises the fact that the 2008 draft estimates include an increase of 6,7 % over the 2007 budget
despite savings made from ceasing to translate the verbatim reports of proceedings (EUR 9 000 000) and the
transfer of the management of costs related to termination-of-service allowances to the Commission;

6. Will examine in detail the proposals for the projects provided for under Chapter 10 6 (‘Reserve for
priority projects under development’); insists that the information explaining them be communicated in due time
to its relevant committee; prefers, at this stage, to leave a token entry (‘pm’) in Chapter 10 4 (‘Reserve for
information and communication policy’) and Chapter 10 6 (‘Reserve for priority projects under development’), which
will set the budget at EUR 1 436 400 000, representing an increase of 2,8 % over the 2007 budget; is will-
ing to decide on the amount to be allocated to these projects once the concrete information is presented;

7.
Is concerned by the high level of mopping-up transfers in the last few years which shot up to
EUR 124 144 556 in 2005 and EUR 105 871 425 in 2006; recalls the fact that the numerous transfer
requests made throughout the year change the allocation decided by the budgetary authority; invites the
administration to estimate appropriations more accurately;

8.
Notes that in 2008 the Belgian State will reimburse to the European Parliament an advance payment
of EUR 22 700 000 made when the decision on the construction of the current premises in Brussels was
taken; notes, moreover, that this appropriation will be placed in assigned revenue and will be used only to
finance expenditure on buildings;

Information policy

9.
Takes note of the proposals to allocate an overall budget of EUR 41 800 000 to information policy,
which will include EUR 10 300 000 for an awareness campaign in view of the 2009 European elections,
EUR 9 000 000 for implementation of the Parliamentary Television Channel (WebTV), EUR 15 700 000 for
the Audiovisual Centre and EUR 6 800 000 to complete the construction of the Visitors' Centre;

10. Welcomes the initiative taken by the Bureau to propose an information campaign relating to the next
European elections; deplores, however, the fact that the actions proposed in the context of this campaign
will not be defined before the end of 2007; requests the administration to present a proposal before the first
reading of the budget and insists on the inclusion of relevant proposals supporting direct communication
with citizens; has decided, pending the submission of more detailed information on the utilisation of these
funds, to place the amount of EUR 10 300 000 entered for election purposes in Chapter 10 0 (‘Provisional
Appropriation’) and to reduce the corresponding budget lines accordingly;

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11.
Considers that the development of a specific programme, similar to that for Visitors' groups, which
focuses on small and local media would be of interest to Members as one of the most efficient means of
raising Union citizens' awareness of the European Parliament's activities; invites the Quaestors to examine
the feasibility of providing each Member with proper means for inviting local journalists to come to the
European Parliament;

12.
Notes that the WebTV project is being substantially delayed to the autumn 2007; emphasises that the
appropriations allocated and entered in Chapter 10 4 (‘Reserve for information’) in the 2007 budget will not
be used as initially anticipated; considers that this amount may be carried forward to 2008, subject to final
approval of the prototype, and consequently could cover the needs of the year; therefore considers that the
EUR 9 000 000 requested for 2008 should be placed in Chapter 10 1 (‘Contingency reserve’) pending a more
precise estimation of the cost of the project if approved, and further information as to the capacity of
absorption of such an amount;

13.
Acknowledges that the budget allocations requested for completing the construction of the Visitors'
Centre and the Audiovisual Centre are in line with initial estimates; emphasises the fact that their imple-
mentation is highly dependent on the delivery dates of the D4 and D5 buildings, which may be slightly
delayed, according to the information given by the Secretary General to the Bureau on 12 March 2007; asks
the administration, therefore, to keep its relevant committee informed in order to allow it to make the
necessary adjustments in the 2008 budget;

Multilingualism

14.
Is willing to consider a proposal for restructuring the interpretation service, while insisting that the
administration enforce more actively the code of conduct on multilingualism, in order to ensure suitable
and efficient linguistic support for Members above all at official meetings of Parliament bodies and prevent
any shortcomings, irresponsible use or misuse of this service; is willing to consider within this framework
the possible extension of this service to more personal linguistic assistance; recalls that all Members should
be treated fairly, irrespective of their native language;

15.
Points out that any recommendation for the interpretation service should take account of the report
of the Court of Auditors and be based on a comprehensive quality control system including qualitative
indicators;

Is highly concerned by the fact that translations of documents are frequently not available in all
16.
languages for debates in committees, a situation which has a negative impact on the committees' proceed-
ings and leads to an inefficient use of available resources (in particular given the multiplication of extra-
ordinary meetings); insists that it is vital to take the necessary measures to have an efficient translation
system in order to ensure the equal treatment of all Members and the orderly development of parliamentary
business; urges the administration to make all the necessary efforts to provide the appropriate means and
ensure an adequate organisation of the translation service in order to prevent any shortcomings and the
consequent increase of costs, in particular when deadlines for decisions are fixed in the Treaty;

Buildings

Is surprised by the substantial increase in Item 2000 (‘Rent’) of EUR 5 131 200, which absorbs half of
17.
the savings resulting from the purchase of the Strasbourg buildings; understands that the increase of
19,85 % is based on developments in the real estate market and the need to rent an additional building in
Luxembourg during the work on the extension of the KAD building; recommends that the administration
bear these factors in mind before proposing further purchases of external offices that cannot be considered
a priority with regard to the three places of work;

18.
Takes note of the delay in the construction of the extension of the KAD building, mainly due to the
decision of the Luxembourg State to abandon the creation of a shopping area; acknowledges that this
decision will ease the management of the building in particular in terms of security; regrets, however, that

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construction work cannot start on time, which will postpone the occupancy of the extension to the end of
2012 and necessitate a longer rental of the temporary buildings; asks, therefore, to be kept informed of
further developments with this project;

Points out that Item 2007 (‘Fitting out premises’) has increased by 72,24 % compared to the 2007
19.
budget to an amount of EUR 30 008 000; decides to put the amount of EUR 3 000 000 foreseen for the
Sports Centre under sub-item 2007/03 (‘Fitting-out, Brussels’) in reserve until Parliament's competent bodies
have taken a final decision on the project and its financing; awaits the report on building needs and main-
tenance costs scheduled for 30 April 2007;

20.
Is strongly of the view that a global approach must be taken when deciding on renting, purchasing
or fitting-out buildings; considers that every decision concerning buildings policy must take into account the
longer-term financial consequences; will assess the information provided on the overall costs of its buildings
policy before allocating the appropriations requested; asks the administration to provide detailed informa-
tion on the fitting-out works, especially those foreseen in Brussels and the newly acquired buildings in
Strasbourg;

Informatics

Notes that the increase in IT expenditure over the last four years has reached 28 %; considers that the
21.
current strategy was useful in modernising the European Parliament's IT systems, enhancing the services
provided to users and developing a new internet website; stresses, nevertheless, that it has multiplied the
number of projects to 477 and has left some key functions in the hands of external staff; emphasises that,
given that the administration must justify its financial requests, the Directorate on Information Technologies
(DIT) should make proposals to rationalise its costs in the context of the amending letter;

22.
Notes that the estimate for telecommunications charges is approximately the same as the estimate for
2005, whereas the actual costs have been falling annually since 2004 owing to the use of new technologies
and general price reductions in the sector, and in 2006 were EUR 2 100 000 below the estimates; calls on
the Secretary-General to report to the Committee on Budgets on the use of current VOIP technologies to
reduce telephone costs;

Staff

Acknowledges the fact that the Bureau's request for new posts extends, at this stage, to 16 posts
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(7 AST3 and 9 AD5); regrets that only 10 posts are proposed from the redeployment exercise; calls on
the administration to provide detailed information on the impact in terms of post reductions and redeploy-
ment due to the implementation of the new streamline software and on other short and medium-term
strategies regarding redeployment possibilities as mentioned in the guidelines; considers an annual target
of 1 % as a minimum; confirms its willingness to receive a global overview and justification of the requests
before taking its final decision; proposes, consequently, to place the appropriations relating to the requested
posts in reserve for the time being;

Recalls the request to meet the full level of recruitment of staff from the EU-10 as well as Romania
24.
and Bulgaria; considers this an important element for the provision of effective support to Members, espe-
cially for linguistic services; while recognising this as the primary goal, requests the administration to pre-
sent the appropriate measures for the long-term sustainability of these services;

25.
Emphasises that a number of uncertainties still remain regarding staffing needs following recent
Bureau decisions, for example the impact of the new Codex on the activity of the medical centre; reminds
the administration that it should provide by March and September of each year an updated report on the
recruitment situation related to enlargement and expects to receive detailed information to justify any new
requests by the first reading;

26.
Takes note of the proposals concerning the upgrading of permanent and temporary posts, the con-
version of posts and possible ad personam promotions in the European Parliament's Secretariat; decides to
defer them until the first reading and place the related appropriations in reserve;

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Notes that the proposals concerning the upgrading of staff from the political groups will be commu-

27.
nicated at a later date; is willing to consider them in the first reading;

28.
Considers that efforts can be made to limit the number of staff missions to Strasbourg and, where
possible, to make better use of new technologies such as video conferencing; decides to limit the appropria-
tion allocated to Article 300 (‘Staff mission allowances’) to the level of the 2007 budget and to enter the
increase of EUR 1 490 000, requested for 2008, in Chapter 10 0 (‘Provisional appropriation’);

Miscellaneous

29.
Reiterates that the rapid implementation of the new badge system will greatly improve security in the
buildings; is surprised by the increase in Item 214 (‘Technical equipment and installations’) and in particular by
the increase in its sub-item on security of 36,8 % compared to last year's budget due to a substantial increase
in the maintenance costs of the security infrastructure and to certain investments, such as the new radio
system; insists on the fact that the security of the European Parliament's premises, its Members and staff, is
an important issue that nevertheless calls for a prudent approach as regards its possible financial impact;
invites the administration to re-examine its request bearing in mind the points expressed above and to
present a new proposal by the
to enter
time of
EUR 2 000 000, allocated to new projects, in Chapter 10 0 (‘Provisional appropriation’);

the amending letter; decides,

consequently,

30.
Reminds the Secretary-General that, in its resolutions of 1 June 2006 on Parliament's estimates and
of 26 October 2006 on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2007 —
Sections I, II, IV, V, VI, VII and VIII (1), it was requested that by 15 December 2006 the administration
should embark on an information strategy to address the issue that Members are often not fully aware of
the available support services and that until now no proposal has been presented to its relevant committee;

Requests the administration to update its estimates on the appropriations needed in relation to

31.
EMAS;

32.
Notes the proposed modifications of the nomenclature; recalls that a report on the financing of
expenditure relating to delegations and Assemblies is awaited; decides at this stage not to agree to the
changes in the nomenclature in Article 214 (‘Technical equipment and installations’) and in Items 3244 (‘Orga-
nisation and reception of groups of visitors, Euroscola programme and invitations to opinion multipliers from third
countries’), 3245 (‘Organisation of seminars, symposia and cultural activities’), 3246 (‘Parliamentary television chan-
nel’), 3249 (‘Information exchanges with national parliaments’) and the proposed new Item 3047 (‘Miscellaneous
expenditure on the organisation of Eurolat Parliamentary Assembly meetings’);

Is convinced of the need to reinforce the relationship between Members of the European Parliament
33.
and Members of EU national parliaments and democratically elected national parliaments of third countries;
is willing to support the programme for information exchanges with national parliaments (Item 3249) once
it has received further detailed information;

*

*

*

34.

Adopts the estimates for the financial year 2008;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Kingdom of

35.
Belgium.

(1) OJ C 298 E, 8.12.2006, p. 253, and Texts Adopted, P6_TA(2006)0452.