natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
In some Member States, after receiving the OLAF final report, prosecutors carry out all the investigation activities once again in order to acquire admissible evidence. 
In some Member States, after receiving the OLAF final report, prosecutors carry out all the investigation activities once again in order to acquire admissible evidence.
This raises efficiency issues, and may lead to offences becoming time-barred. 
This raises efficiency issues, and may lead to offences becoming time-barred.
The question of admissibility has been addressed in the Commission's proposal to amend Regulation 883/2013. 
The question of admissibility has been addressed in the Commission's proposal to amend Regulation 883/2013.
It should be taken into account that not all Member States apply the legality principle: in those where the launch of a case is a discretionary decision of the judicial authority, an OLAF final report can be the decisive argument in favour of opening a judicial investigation. 
It should be taken into account that not all Member States apply the legality principle: in those where the launch of a case is a discretionary decision of the judicial authority, an OLAF final report can be the decisive argument in favour of opening a judicial investigation.
The Commission notes that the average duration of closed and ongoing investigations was 15.8 months and that the average duration of the selection corresponding to these cases was 1.8 months.10 OLAF opens investigations following the analysis of information of potential investigative interest received by OLAF from external sources. 
The Commission notes that the average duration of closed and ongoing investigations was 15.8 months and that the average duration of the selection corresponding to these cases was 1.8 months.10 OLAF opens investigations following the analysis of information of potential investigative interest received by OLAF from external sources.
This is done without undue delay. 
This is done without undue delay.
It is also OLAF's normal practice to open cases following information retrieved in the framework of its own investigative activities to promptly tackle irregular conduct. 
It is also OLAF's normal practice to open cases following information retrieved in the framework of its own investigative activities to promptly tackle irregular conduct.
The creation of the EPPO will help rectify certain shortcomings of the current system of investigations and prosecutions of offences against the financial interests of the EU. 
The creation of the EPPO will help rectify certain shortcomings of the current system of investigations and prosecutions of offences against the financial interests of the EU.
OLAF, as all EU IBOAs and Member States' competent authorities, will have to report to EPPO without undue delay any suspicion of possible criminal offence falling within the EPPO's investigative competence. 
OLAF, as all EU IBOAs and Member States' competent authorities, will have to report to EPPO without undue delay any suspicion of possible criminal offence falling within the EPPO's investigative competence.
The EPPO will thus be able to directly start criminal investigations and prosecutions of cases of suspected fraud, and bring those cases to court. 
The EPPO will thus be able to directly start criminal investigations and prosecutions of cases of suspected fraud, and bring those cases to court.
The Commission has adopted its proposal for the amendment of Regulation 883/2013, which will adapt the functioning of OLAF to the establishment of the EPPO, to ensure close cooperation based on the complementarity of their respective mandates. 
The Commission has adopted its proposal for the amendment of Regulation 883/2013, which will adapt the functioning of OLAF to the establishment of the EPPO, to ensure close cooperation based on the complementarity of their respective mandates.
Pending the setting-up of the EPPO, OLAF ensures the mutual exchange of information with the competent national authorities under Article 12 of Regulation 883/2013 by transmitting in due time to the competent national authorities any relevant information obtained in the course of external investigations. 
Pending the setting-up of the EPPO, OLAF ensures the mutual exchange of information with the competent national authorities under Article 12 of Regulation 883/2013 by transmitting in due time to the competent national authorities any relevant information obtained in the course of external investigations.
It should furthermore be noted that the average duration of closed and ongoing OLAF investigations has significantly decreased compared to past years (from 22.4 months in 2011 to 15.8 months in 2017). 
It should furthermore be noted that the average duration of closed and ongoing OLAF investigations has significantly decreased compared to past years (from 22.4 months in 2011 to 15.8 months in 2017).
Common reply to paragraphs 106-108: 10 See 2017 OLAF Report. 
Common reply to paragraphs 106-108: 10 See 2017 OLAF Report.
As stated by the ECA, recovery usually takes several years, and therefore comparing amounts recommended and recovered during the same period does not provide an accurate measurement and underestimates the amount of recoveries. 
As stated by the ECA, recovery usually takes several years, and therefore comparing amounts recommended and recovered during the same period does not provide an accurate measurement and underestimates the amount of recoveries.
Under shared management, it is the responsibility of the Member States to recover the unduly spent amounts from the beneficiaries. 
Under shared management, it is the responsibility of the Member States to recover the unduly spent amounts from the beneficiaries.
In addition, the financial impact of the precautionary measures recommended by OLAF and the amounts thus prevented from being unduly spent have not been included in the scope of the audit and have therefore not been analysed. 
In addition, the financial impact of the precautionary measures recommended by OLAF and the amounts thus prevented from being unduly spent have not been included in the scope of the audit and have therefore not been analysed.
The Commission notes that the actual recoveries following the investigations by OLAF exceed by far the costs of OLAF. 
The Commission notes that the actual recoveries following the investigations by OLAF exceed by far the costs of OLAF.
OLAF has continuously worked on improving the quality of its final reports and recommendations. 
OLAF has continuously worked on improving the quality of its final reports and recommendations.
Notably, in October 2016 OLAF issued new instructions to investigators to ensure the clarity of information provided by OLAF with respect to estimated amounts to be recovered. 
Notably, in October 2016 OLAF issued new instructions to investigators to ensure the clarity of information provided by OLAF with respect to estimated amounts to be recovered.
See also Commission's reply to paragraph 115. 
See also Commission's reply to paragraph 115.
The ECA’s findings in paragraph 110 highlight the fact that there is sometimes a question of timing to be considered when a double objective needs to be pursued, namely that of recovery of unduly paid sums and of not jeopardising the criminal investigation at national level. 
The ECA’s findings in paragraph 110 highlight the fact that there is sometimes a question of timing to be considered when a double objective needs to be pursued, namely that of recovery of unduly paid sums and of not jeopardising the criminal investigation at national level.
This is why recovery procedures are at times put on hold. 
This is why recovery procedures are at times put on hold.
This situation is, however, relatively rare and concerns cases where there is a national pre-trial procedure ongoing and the national judicial authorities have expressly requested OLAF to ensure strictest confidentiality for a certain period of time (normally until the performance or finalisation of certain activities). 
This situation is, however, relatively rare and concerns cases where there is a national pre-trial procedure ongoing and the national judicial authorities have expressly requested OLAF to ensure strictest confidentiality for a certain period of time (normally until the performance or finalisation of certain activities).
The periods during which recovery procedures are put on hold are generally short. 
The periods during which recovery procedures are put on hold are generally short.
In most of the cases, however, the financial recovery procedure is conducted in parallel, independently from the judicial procedure, according to the rules on recovery following administrative irregularities. 
In most of the cases, however, the financial recovery procedure is conducted in parallel, independently from the judicial procedure, according to the rules on recovery following administrative irregularities.
The issue is addressed in the “OLAF Guidelines on the use of OLAF Final Reports by Commission Services for recovery procedures and other measures in the direct expenditure and external aid sector”, which states that administrative and/or financial penalties may be taken without prejudice to any action taken at national level and that the Authorising Officer by Delegation (AOD) should not await the outcome of criminal proceedings (if any) before taking administrative or recovery action, unless specifically asked to do so by OLAF. 
The issue is addressed in the “OLAF Guidelines on the use of OLAF Final Reports by Commission Services for recovery procedures and other measures in the direct expenditure and external aid sector”, which states that administrative and/or financial penalties may be taken without prejudice to any action taken at national level and that the Authorising Officer by Delegation (AOD) should not await the outcome of criminal proceedings (if any) before taking administrative or recovery action, unless specifically asked to do so by OLAF.
The Commission is of the opinion that by applying financial corrections in the area of shared management, including when recommended by OLAF, and by ensuring that the corresponding amounts are withdrawn from the programme expenditure, the EU budget is protected. 
The Commission is of the opinion that by applying financial corrections in the area of shared management, including when recommended by OLAF, and by ensuring that the corresponding amounts are withdrawn from the programme expenditure, the EU budget is protected.
When a shared management Directorate-General, e.g. DG REGIO, receives a final case report from OLAF, it sends a financial follow-up letter to the Member State to request the recovery of EU funds in line with the OLAF final report. 
When a shared management Directorate-General, e.g. DG REGIO, receives a final case report from OLAF, it sends a financial follow-up letter to the Member State to request the recovery of EU funds in line with the OLAF final report.
The Member State is requested to provide its observations. 
The Member State is requested to provide its observations.
In case the Member State disagrees with OLAF’s assessment and recommendation, DG REGIO assesses the Member State's reply against all applicable rules and takes a final position. 
In case the Member State disagrees with OLAF’s assessment and recommendation, DG REGIO assesses the Member State's reply against all applicable rules and takes a final position.
The AOD may decide to follow the conclusions of the OLAF final report and implement the recommendation as set out in the report, including by proposing the Commission to adopt a financial correction decision of the appropriate amount, taking into account applicable law. 
The AOD may decide to follow the conclusions of the OLAF final report and implement the recommendation as set out in the report, including by proposing the Commission to adopt a financial correction decision of the appropriate amount, taking into account applicable law.
In case the Member State agrees with the OLAF financial recommendation, it is then for the national authorities to recover the funds from the respective beneficiaries. 
In case the Member State agrees with the OLAF financial recommendation, it is then for the national authorities to recover the funds from the respective beneficiaries.
Under the Common Provisions Regulation (EU) 1303/2013, Member States are obliged to recover amounts unduly paid following an irregularity. 
Under the Common Provisions Regulation (EU) 1303/2013, Member States are obliged to recover amounts unduly paid following an irregularity.
While the Commission has no obligation to check the amounts recovered from each beneficiary, the system audits include verification of the accuracy of expenditure of 21 
While the Commission has no obligation to check the amounts recovered from each beneficiary, the system audits include verification of the accuracy of expenditure of 21
amounts withdrawn and amounts recovered recorded in the certifying authorities’ accounting system. 
amounts withdrawn and amounts recovered recorded in the certifying authorities’ accounting system.
In addition, Member States have a strong incentive to detect and correct fraud and irregular expenditure, since they may replace irregular amounts which are detected after the submission of the accounts by making the corresponding adjustments in the accounts for the accounting year in which the irregularity is detected. 
In addition, Member States have a strong incentive to detect and correct fraud and irregular expenditure, since they may replace irregular amounts which are detected after the submission of the accounts by making the corresponding adjustments in the accounts for the accounting year in which the irregularity is detected.
In shared management, it is the Member States’ responsibility to determine an amount to be recovered in line with EU legislation and national legislation where applicable. 
In shared management, it is the Member States’ responsibility to determine an amount to be recovered in line with EU legislation and national legislation where applicable.
DG AGRI monitors in a systemic way whether Member States manage the recovery of debts properly and, if necessary, follows up in the context of the conformity clearance procedure. 
DG AGRI monitors in a systemic way whether Member States manage the recovery of debts properly and, if necessary, follows up in the context of the conformity clearance procedure.
The EU budget is protected by the application of the so called 50/50 rule. 
The EU budget is protected by the application of the so called 50/50 rule.
It provides that when debts are not recovered within a specified time limit, half of the relevant amount, including interests, is re-credited to the EU budget. 
It provides that when debts are not recovered within a specified time limit, half of the relevant amount, including interests, is re-credited to the EU budget.
Moreover, in case the debt was not recovered due to negligence of the Member State, the total amount of the debt is re-credited to the EU budget. 
Moreover, in case the debt was not recovered due to negligence of the Member State, the total amount of the debt is re-credited to the EU budget.
As the ECA itself states in paragraph 107, recovery is a lengthy procedure, taking an average of 36 months, which means that it can take even longer in individual cases. 
As the ECA itself states in paragraph 107, recovery is a lengthy procedure, taking an average of 36 months, which means that it can take even longer in individual cases.
For example, one such recommendation issued in the period 2012-2014, and in which a final decision has yet to be taken, accounts for 20% of the overall amount recommended to DGs REGIO, EMPL and AGRI in that time frame. 
For example, one such recommendation issued in the period 2012-2014, and in which a final decision has yet to be taken, accounts for 20% of the overall amount recommended to DGs REGIO, EMPL and AGRI in that time frame.
Therefore, the rate of recovery can be expected to increase over time. 
Therefore, the rate of recovery can be expected to increase over time.
The Commission notes that the ECA’s analysis does not include the amounts prevented from being unduly spent from the EU budget as decided by the Commission following OLAF's recommendations. 
The Commission notes that the ECA’s analysis does not include the amounts prevented from being unduly spent from the EU budget as decided by the Commission following OLAF's recommendations.
These amounts alone total EUR 160 million with regard to recommendations issued between 2012 and 2014 and would, for the sake of comparison, be equal to 16% of the overall amount recommended for recovery to the three Directorates-General in that time frame. 
These amounts alone total EUR 160 million with regard to recommendations issued between 2012 and 2014 and would, for the sake of comparison, be equal to 16% of the overall amount recommended for recovery to the three Directorates-General in that time frame.
The Commission underlines that EU money has been recovered or withdrawn, where possible, in order to safeguard the EU budget. 
The Commission underlines that EU money has been recovered or withdrawn, where possible, in order to safeguard the EU budget.
See also reply to paragraphs 106-108. 
See also reply to paragraphs 106-108.
The final decision on the amounts to be recovered falls under the scope of activity of the Authorising Officer by Delegation. 
The final decision on the amounts to be recovered falls under the scope of activity of the Authorising Officer by Delegation.
The main reason for not recovering the amounts as recommended by OLAF has been the lack of legal base to apply a financial correction. 
The main reason for not recovering the amounts as recommended by OLAF has been the lack of legal base to apply a financial correction.
The instructions to OLAF staff on drafting and calculating financial recommendations dated October 2016 provide, inter alia, for a detailed outline on how to determine the relevant amounts (estimated impact of the facts established, estimated amounts to be recovered and the estimated amounts to be prevented from being unduly spent) as well as the information provided in the recommendation document and final report supporting these amounts. 
The instructions to OLAF staff on drafting and calculating financial recommendations dated October 2016 provide, inter alia, for a detailed outline on how to determine the relevant amounts (estimated impact of the facts established, estimated amounts to be recovered and the estimated amounts to be prevented from being unduly spent) as well as the information provided in the recommendation document and final report supporting these amounts.
These instructions were followed up in July 2017 by OLAF with the adoption of “Guidelines on Financial Monitoring” which refocuses and simplifies the monitoring of financial recommendations. 
These instructions were followed up in July 2017 by OLAF with the adoption of “Guidelines on Financial Monitoring” which refocuses and simplifies the monitoring of financial recommendations.
As the new instructions and revised guidelines are relatively recent, their full impact has yet to been seen in the system. 
As the new instructions and revised guidelines are relatively recent, their full impact has yet to been seen in the system.
See also Commission's reply to paragraph 114. 
See also Commission's reply to paragraph 114.
The Commission highlights that the amount of the recovery orders issued by DG CNECT and DG RTD as a follow-up to OLAF final reports exceeds the total value of the recommendations sent to the Directorates-General. 
The Commission highlights that the amount of the recovery orders issued by DG CNECT and DG RTD as a follow-up to OLAF final reports exceeds the total value of the recommendations sent to the Directorates-General.
A substantial part of the recoveries was hampered by liquidation of the beneficiaries concerned after the OLAF investigation. 
A substantial part of the recoveries was hampered by liquidation of the beneficiaries concerned after the OLAF investigation.
This is particularly the case for DG CNECT, where the liquidations prevented the recovery of EUR 7.86 million, accounting for more than 50% of the total amounts for which recovery orders were established. 
This is particularly the case for DG CNECT, where the liquidations prevented the recovery of EUR 7.86 million, accounting for more than 50% of the total amounts for which recovery orders were established.
As reported by the ECA, recovery usually takes several years. 
As reported by the ECA, recovery usually takes several years.
The recovery process continues for many financial recommendations issued during the period 2012–2016 and was still pending at the time of the ECA audit. 
The recovery process continues for many financial recommendations issued during the period 2012–2016 and was still pending at the time of the ECA audit.
OLAF's instructions on financial recommendations (see Commission's reply to paragraph 115) clarify, inter alia, how to determine the relevant amounts, including the estimated amounts to be recovered using, where possible, IBOA's own rules. 
OLAF's instructions on financial recommendations (see Commission's reply to paragraph 115) clarify, inter alia, how to determine the relevant amounts, including the estimated amounts to be recovered using, where possible, IBOA's own rules.
The Commission takes note of the 20 cases examined and would like to add that also other Directorates-General than DG CNECT and DG RTD are involved in direct management. 
The Commission takes note of the 20 cases examined and would like to add that also other Directorates-General than DG CNECT and DG RTD are involved in direct management.
First bullet point: OLAF’s final reports can be used in financial and administrative procedures unless OLAF indicates specific reasons why this cannot be done due to the criminal investigation. 
First bullet point: OLAF’s final reports can be used in financial and administrative procedures unless OLAF indicates specific reasons why this cannot be done due to the criminal investigation.
See also Commission's reply to paragraph 110. 
See also Commission's reply to paragraph 110.
Second bullet point: See Commission's reply to paragraph 109. 
Second bullet point: See Commission's reply to paragraph 109.
In case a spending DG is of the view that a final report does not contain clear or adequate evidence, it may contact OLAF and ask for clarifications. 
In case a spending DG is of the view that a final report does not contain clear or adequate evidence, it may contact OLAF and ask for clarifications.
Third bullet point: The Commission would like to point out that in many cases the liquidation following insolvency of a beneficiary happens after the closure of the case by OLAF, after the recovery order has been issued or the enforceable decision taken. 
Third bullet point: The Commission would like to point out that in many cases the liquidation following insolvency of a beneficiary happens after the closure of the case by OLAF, after the recovery order has been issued or the enforceable decision taken.
The scope and nature of an audit is different from that of an OLAF investigation and will not cover aspects such as corruption, fraud and other serious financial irregularities. 
The scope and nature of an audit is different from that of an OLAF investigation and will not cover aspects such as corruption, fraud and other serious financial irregularities.
Audits may not identify the full amount to be recovered and may not necessarily lead to exclusion of entities by the EDES panel. 
Audits may not identify the full amount to be recovered and may not necessarily lead to exclusion of entities by the EDES panel.
See also Commission's reply to paragraph 109. 
See also Commission's reply to paragraph 109.
The number of such actions is limited in relation to the number of recommendations issued by OLAF. 
The number of such actions is limited in relation to the number of recommendations issued by OLAF.