unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL 2024
Speaker: Andrey Novakov
Country: France
Language: EN

I still remember vividly the issues that we had to tackle: the consequences of COVID, the beginning of the war – everything happened back then. I kept my promise, with a well-structured report, which focused only on the work of the Parliament, having in mind what happened during that year. In the face of such challenges, it was imperative that we, as the European Parliament, demonstrated leadership and consistency. We had to navigate through the crisis while upholding the values and principles upon which our Union was founded. Despite what was happening in Europe, we had also our own problems here in the House to solve. I am proud to say that our leadership rose to the occasion, taking decisive steps to maintain trust in the European decision-making process. We strengthened the transparency, ethics and rightful conduct within our institutions. They became paramount and I commend on our efforts in this regard. As the rapporteur of the discharge report of the European Parliament, my primary goal was to provide a factual assessment of the financial implementation of the European Parliament budget for the year 2022. I aim to scrutinise how external events – such as the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis – affect our budgetary execution and how our institution responded to these challenges. Throughout this process, I have the privilege of working closely with Parliament’s administration. Their invaluable assistance has been instrumental in enabling us to fulfil our mandate effectively. Here I have to say that the structure of the report is a bit innovative, compared to the few last reports that we have on that issue before. We had a DG-by-DG approach, having in mind that each DG has specific issues, a specific approach to different challenges, so we keep it objective. Therefore, we need to express our gratitude and support for the tireless efforts of the administration. While we must continuously strive for positive reforms and improvements, we must also acknowledge and appreciate the dedication of those who serve in our institution. As a Bulgarian but also a dedicated European, I am deeply committed to promote transparency and fostering a modern democracy that truly represents the diverse views of all EU citizens. It is my firm belief that the European Parliament stands as a beacon of democratic values and principles, and it is our collective responsibility to uphold and strengthen these foundations. I am pleased to say that those values have been defended throughout the pages of my report, and I am certain that we would have a valuable final result tomorrow during the vote.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL 2024
Speaker: Michal Wiezik
Country: France
Language: EN

Joint undertakings can be set up under the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU or Euratom Treaty as public-private partnerships between the EU and industry, research groups and Member States. They play a crucial role in groundbreaking EU research, development and demonstration programmes aiming at bringing the EU to the forefront of sustainable development in the world and responding to European social challenges that are currently insufficiently served by industry. The JUs operating under the 2021-2027 MFF implement their specific research and innovation agenda in sustainable transport, fusion energy, health, circular bio-based industries, key electronic components, supercomputing and network systems. Each has a distinct legal personality and adopts its own financial rules in line with the Financial Regulation, and they operate under the Euratom and Horizon Europe programmes. On 15 November 2023, the ECA published its specific annual report on JUs in the form of a consolidated report. Overall, the Court’s audit of the JUs for the financial year ending on 31 December 2022 confirmed similar results reported in previous years. In the annual process of granting discharge, we endorse the ECA’s recommendations and conclude that all accounts of the joint undertakings are reliable, in accordance with international accounting standards, and with low risk to the legality and regularity of revenues and payments.  Nevertheless, through the reports, we would also like to highlight some further improvement in the coming financial years, in particular the need for improvement in programme implementation, human resources, and management and control systems. Given the systemic errors for declared personnel costs, we asked the JUs to strengthen their internal control systems for payments, especially by those beneficiaries that are more prone to errors, such as SMEs and newcomers. Regarding the risk expressed by the ECA in relation to the costs and deadlines for the ITER project in which Russia participates, we advise to remain attentive to events that may affect the implementation of the programme and exploring alternative supply flows should delivery problem arise. ITER is truly a groundbreaking programme with the ambition to produce unlimited energy on Earth. However, since the war in Ukraine, Russia’s membership has proven unreliable and very problematic as regards the delivery of components and risk of inflated costs. Therefore, we stress that this situation presents a high risk of delays and higher costs for the ITER project, where the EU takes the lead with more than a 45% share of construction costs. To conclude, I am fully convinced that all JUs represent successful European undertakings. All of them are operating within the merits of common rules.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL 2024
Speaker: Mathieu Michel
Language: FR

Comme vous le savez, le 12 mars dernier, le Conseil a adopté sa recommandation d’octroyer la décharge à la Commission. Cette décision n’a pas été prise à la légère et n’a pas été facile à atteindre. Les représentants des États membres avaient des préoccupations assez similaires à celles exprimées dans le rapport du Parlement européen. Comme on peut le lire dans notre recommandation, le Conseil était préoccupé par le fait que, pour la quatrième année consécutive, l’avis de la Cour des comptes sur les dépenses était défavorable. En outre, le taux d’erreur global a encore augmenté et reste bien au-dessus du seuil de la matérialité. Néanmoins, le Conseil a encore jugé approprié d’accorder la décharge à la Commission pour 2022, reconnaissant ainsi les efforts des autorités de gestion et de contrôle, tant au niveau de la Commission que des États membres. Le Conseil souligne également que pour réduire le taux d’erreur et assurer une gestion efficace des fonds de l’Union européenne, une législation et des mesures d’exécution plus simples, plus transparentes et plus prévisibles devraient rester une priorité absolue. Cependant, cela ne doit pas se traduire par un abaissement des normes nécessaires à l’obligation de rendre des comptes. Le Conseil a également pris note du fait que la Cour des comptes a recommencé à rendre compte de la performance budgétaire dans un des chapitres de son rapport annuel et que, d’autre part, les dépenses liées à la facilité pour la reprise et la résilience font également l’objet d’un chapitre distinct. Le Conseil souhaite toutefois que l’évaluation de la performance du budget de l’Union européenne reste une priorité, car elle permet de mesurer la valeur réelle apportée par l’Union européenne à ses citoyens. Quant à la facilité pour la reprise de la résilience, je dirai tout simplement que le chapitre qui lui est consacrée dans le rapport de la Cour des comptes a fait l’objet d’un examen très approfondi au Conseil, et que la recommandation tient compte non seulement de la nouveauté de l’approche pour toutes les parties concernées, y compris par la Cour, mais aussi des leçons à en tirer pour les futures politiques de l’Union européenne. Permettez-moi de conclure en vous remerciant pour votre travail approfondi sur la décharge. Je voudrais également adresser mes remerciements à la Commission, à la Cour des comptes et à tous les acteurs en charge de la mise en œuvre et de la gestion des fonds européens. Dans le cadre de cet exercice de décharge, les institutions partagent un objectif commun: assurer une bonne gestion du budget européen et obtenir des résultats visibles sur le terrain. C’est notre devoir à tous envers nos citoyens.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL 2024
Speaker: Katalin Cseh
Country: Sweden
Language: EN

After the allegations broke, Renew Europe demanded a thorough investigation and real consequences – and I’m sorry to say, but we are not satisfied. So this is why we have tabled amendments to the discharge file to better protect the Parliament from interference, calling for an urgent investigation. We must also enhance our security culture to provide mandatory training, ensure appropriate clearance and strengthen the screening of staffers. It is just absurd that somebody can just walk into a meeting of foreign and security affairs without proper background checks. What else needs to happen for real action? Actual Russian operatives showing up at our chambers? So, colleagues, enough should be enough. Please support our amendment and work with us for ironclad safeguards against foreign interference.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL 2024
Speaker: Antoni Comín i Oliveres
Country: Romania
Language: IT

Innanzitutto, abbiamo voluto sottolineare il ruolo decisivo di questo Parlamento in termini di monitoraggio dell'attuazione del  In secondo luogo, abbiamo ricordato che la Commissione deve informare il Parlamento prima di mobilitare la garanzia NDICI-Global Europe per le crisi impreviste e garantire che venga effettivamente utilizzata per il suo scopo iniziale, ovvero per la risposta alle crisi impreviste. Non è stato sempre così.  Infine, siamo stati particolarmente insistenti nel chiedere alla Commissione di dare priorità alle ONG locali nei paesi partner nell'attuazione delle azioni finanziate dall'Unione e quindi di rendere più facile per queste organizzazioni l'accesso ai nostri finanziamenti. Le ONG locali e le organizzazioni della società civile sono assolutamente necessarie per gestire e attuare sul campo le politiche di sviluppo dell'Unione e quindi chiediamo alla Commissione di dare priorità a queste organizzazioni per garantire che le popolazioni locali facciano propri i nostri progetti di sviluppo.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL 2024
Speaker: Romana Tomc
Country: France
Language: SL

Agencije, pohvalno, redno sodelujejo na izmenjavah mnenj na sejah odbora, kjer jih spodbujamo k še večjemu sodelovanju, predvsem pri delitvi stroškov za enake storitve. Leto 2022 je bilo zelo specifično leto z velikim padcem kupne moči, a kljub inflaciji so agencije učinkovito upravljale svoje stroške. Za konec naj poudarim to, da sta preglednost in ozaveščenost državljanov o agencijah bistvenega pomena za njihovo odgovornost. Eurofound, Cedefop, ETF, EU-OSHA, ELA, iskrena zahvala za vaše kakovostno delo.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL 2024
Speaker: Petar Vitanov
Country: Spain
Language: EN

Funding the network is essential for finalising its core corridors by 2030, and the extension of the connection towards the eastern neighbourhood and, in this regard, full Schengen accession of Bulgaria and Romania. And let’s not forget the need for further relevant investment dedicated to the tourism sector, which is extremely important for our continent. Related to the diversification of the tourism offers for citizens are the extension of the tourism season and improved conditions for the workers in this sector.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL 2024
Speaker: Romeo Franz
Country: Germany
Language: DE

Zudem ist die Unterstützung von Vernetzungsaktivitäten, die Schaffung von Synergien – auch durch den digitalen Ausbau – wichtig, um Partizipierende nachhaltig zu verbinden und inklusiver zu werden. Dazu gehört auch die Zusammenarbeit auf lokaler Ebene mit schutzbedürftigen Gruppen. Ich denke, wir konnten ein hilfreiches Feedback, aber auch einen produktiven Anstoß geben, um Europas größtes Bildungsförderungsprogramm, Solidaritätsprojekte und Freiwilligentätigkeiten stetig zu verbessern.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL 2024
Speaker: Gilles Lebreton
Country: Germany
Language: FR

Chose encore plus grave, le Parquet européen a violé le principe de l’individualisation de la procédure de levée de l’immunité parlementaire. Il a en effet saisi le Parlement européen par un seul et même document de deux demandes de levée d’immunité, dont l’une concernait le Qatargate, et l’autre, une affaire beaucoup moins grave. Cet amalgame a porté un grave préjudice aux députés dont le nom a ainsi été injustement associé au Qatargate. J’invite donc le parquet européen à méditer le paragraphe 69 du rapport, qui l’invite à améliorer son traitement des demandes de levée d’immunité.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL 2024
Speaker: Maria Grapini
Political group: S-D
Country: Portugal
Language: RO

Există o dublă măsură. În raportul de descărcare de gestiune a Parlamentului, unde sunt raportor din partea grupului meu, constat că sunt amendamente stranii în care trebuie să arătăm bilețelele, să păstrăm bonurile de la cafea, apă și hârtie pe care le cumpărăm la cabinete. În același timp, bani foarte mulți și minusurile și avizele negative date de Curtea de Conturi nu sunt luate în seamă. Eu cred că trebuie să privim foarte serios, să tratăm cu aceeași unitate de măsură descărcările de gestiune și ale Parlamentului, dar și ale Comisiei, Consiliului și ale agențiilor, evident, pentru că doar așa protejăm interesele financiare și banii cetățenilor, până la urmă. Așadar, aș dori ca Consiliul să nu mai dea așa ușor descărcarea de gestiune, iar colegii din Parlament să fie exigenți. Eu n-am votat descărcarea de gestiune de anul trecut a Comisiei Europene și probabil nu o să o votez nici acum.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL 2024
Speaker: Eleni Stavrou
Political group: PPE
Language: EL

Όσον αφορά την πατρίδα μου, την Κύπρο, εκφράζω την απογοήτευσή μου για το γεγονός ότι είναι η πιο υποεκπροσωπούμενη χώρα όσον αφορά τους εργαζόμενους, με μόνο δύο άτομα σε μόνιμες και έκτακτες θέσεις στο Δικαστήριο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης και την Ευρωπαϊκή Υπηρεσία Εξωτερικής Δράσης. Ακόμη, στην έκθεση τονίζω ότι οι γυναίκες υποεκπροσωπούνται σημαντικά σε ανώτερες θέσεις, όπως στις κλίμακες 9 με 12 και 13 με 16, ενώ υπερεκπροσωπούνται σε γραμματειακές θέσεις ή θέσεις βοηθών. Αυτό είναι απαράδεκτο όσον αφορά την ίση εκπροσώπηση και ίση επαγγελματική ανέλιξη των δύο φύλων. Όσον αφορά την έκθεση για το Δικαστήριο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, με λυπεί το γεγονός ότι το Δικαστήριο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης δεχόταν μη αμειβόμενους ασκούμενους το 2022. Ακόμη, στην έκθεση της Ευρωπαϊκής Υπηρεσίας Εξωτερικής Δράσης, επισημαίνω ότι ο επιθετικός πόλεμος της Ρωσίας κατά της Ουκρανίας και η κατάσταση στη Γάζα επιβαρύνουν οικονομικά τα κράτη μέλη, τους Ευρωπαίους πολίτες και τη λειτουργία των ευρωπαϊκών θεσμών. Τονίζω τη σημασία του σωστού ελέγχου για διαφάνεια των χρηματοδοτικών πόρων που διατίθενται για την Ουκρανία και τη Γάζα για να διασφαλιστεί η λογοδοσία στη χρήση αυτών των κεφαλαίων.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL 2024
Speaker: Heidi Hautala
Country: Poland
Language: EN

The voluntary pension scheme had a genuine purpose when it was established, but let’s be honest, it was only necessary for mainly French and Italian colleagues who didn’t have a national pension, at that time, for a national MP salary. So I’m very happy to see that the EP Bureau and the Secretary-General – the previous one and the one in office now – have taken measures to reduce and limit the European Parliament’s liabilities. I believe these measures will continue. Tomorrow, when we vote on the European Parliament’s discharge, I would ask you to send a very clear message to the administration and to the European citizens that every legal option must be used to guarantee that no taxpayer money is used for any future bailout of this voluntary pension fund.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL 2024
Speaker: Daniel Freund
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Spain
Language: DE

Frau von der Leyen leitet also eine Behörde mit 35 000 Beamtinnen und Beamten. Sie hat Zugriff auf die klügsten Köpfe unseres Kontinents. Leider macht sie jetzt den Mittelstandsbeauftragten der EU zu einem Versorgungsposten, weil die NRW-CDU ein Frauenproblem hat. Das ist traurig, das ist unwürdig, und ich kann verstehen, dass einige Leute in der Kommission das ziemlich frustrierend finden. Ich kann Ihnen nur nahelegen, Herr Kommissar, rollen Sie dieses Verfahren neu auf und suchen Sie in Zukunft die beste Kandidatin für den Job aus. Alles andere kann man den Wählerinnen und Wählern wirklich nicht erklären.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL 2024
Speaker: Ryszard Czarnecki
Political group: ECR
Country: France
Language: PL

Natomiast co do innych kwestii zwracam uwagę, że Trybunał Obrachunkowy czwarty rok z rzędu wydał negatywną opinię na temat legalności i prawidłowości wydatków budżetowych Unii. Jest niepokojąca tendencja do pogarszania się poziomu błędu ponad dwa razy więcej niż próg istotności. I to jest z roku na rok coraz gorzej. Dwa lata temu 2,7%, rok temu 3%, a teraz 4,2%. Trybunał wykrył również istotne błędy w zakresie wydatków opartych na zwrotach. Poziom błędu 6%.  Kończąc, zwraca uwagę to sprawozdanie na uchybienia i poważne wady funkcjonowania Komisji Europejskiej, zwłaszcza brak przejrzystości w finansowaniu wielu obszarów, w tym także wydatki związane z COVID i finansowanie NGO.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL 2024
Speaker: Dominique Bilde
Political group: ID
Country: Germany
Language: FR

Quant à la Commission, je relève notamment son manque de transparence et de responsabilité dans le cadre de l’achat des vaccins COVID, ainsi que son incapacité à régler la submersion migratoire. Nous n’acceptons pas une Commission qui ne valorise ni ne respecte la souveraineté des États. Nous n’acceptons pas qu’elle ne rende pas de comptes aux citoyens et qu’elle ne vise que ses propres intérêts. Il est grand temps que nous réévaluions ces dépenses excessives et cette centralisation du pouvoir qui s’écarte de la vision originale de coopération et de respect mutuel entre nations souveraines.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL 2024
Speaker: Chris MacManus
Political group: The Left
Country: Austria
Language: EN

The EU should be telling Netanyahu’s regime to let the aid flow freely and quickly into Gaza, not undermining that critical assistance. Everyone also knows the dangers facing aid workers faced with Israeli impunity. Therefore, the EU-Israel Association Agreement must be suspended.  As for us in Ireland, it is time we implement the Occupied Territories Bill and it is time for Ireland and the EU to recognise a Palestinian state. No more excuses!
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL 2024
Speaker: Ernő Schaller-Baross
Political group: NI
Country: Netherlands
Language: HU

Tisztelt Elnök úr! Képviselőtársaim! Hogyan lehetséges az, hogy a plenáris ülésre benyújtott, a szakbizottság által elfogadott jelentések ennyire elfogult, politikailag motivált szövegek lettek, ahelyett, hogy korrekt, objektív, tiszta képet adnának az Európai Unió pénzügyi helyzetéről és gazdálkodásáról? Miképpen lehetséges az, hogy a jelentések Magyarországot oldalakon keresztül támadják, a jogosan felszabadított források azonnali megvonását követelik? Mindeközben az EU történetének legnagyobb korrupciós botrányáról pedig csak úgy tesz említést a jelentés, hogy idézem „állítólagos korrupciós események történtek”. Ennyit, és nem többet érdemel önök szerint több ezer oldalnyi jelentésben az az ügy, amely alapjaiban rengette meg az európai szavazópolgárok Unióba vetett hitét.  Mi értelme van így a zárszámadási eljárásnak és ezeknek a jelentéseknek? Hogyan kaphat az Európai Parlament egyáltalán mentesítést a 2022-es évre?
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL 2024
Speaker: Sándor Rónai
Political group: S-D
Country: Lithuania
Language: HU

Tisztelt Elnök úr! Képviselőtársaim! Előttem az Európai Unió legkorruptabb politikusának, Orbán Viktornak pártkatonája beszélt, aki nem tud elszámolni azzal, hogy miért lopják 14 éve mindennap az Európai Unió, az európai adófizetők pénzét.  Az Európai Unió akkor tud erős lenni, hogyha a közösen meghozott politikákat minden tagállam végrehajtja. Szomorúan mondom Önöknek, hogy van egy tagállam, jelesül Magyarország, amelynek fő célja, hogy az átláthatóságot és az ellenőrizhetőséget megszüntesse. Magyarországon ezt már megtették. Ez az egyik oka annak, hogy Magyarország ennyire rosszul teljesít. Mindez rontja az Európai Unió erejét, de azt hiszem, nem kell Önöknek mondjam, hogy a fő kárvallottak mégiscsak a magyar emberek. Ha sikerül az átláthatóságot és az ellenőrizhetőséget egységesen, szigorúan és minden tagállamra kötelezően szabályozni, annak haszonélvezői minden európai polgár, köztük a magyar emberek, polgárok lesznek, hiszen mindennapi életük körülményei fognak javulni, legyen szó egészségügyről, oktatásról, környezetvédelemről, közlekedésről és általában a mindennapi megélhetésről. Ez az Európai Unió célja, és ez nekünk, szociáldemokratáknak is célunk.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL 2024
Speaker: André Rougé
Political group: ID
Country: Spain
Language: FR

Monsieur le Président, chers collègues, pourquoi l’Union européenne s’évertue-t-elle à financer des pays, tels que l’Union des Comores, qui attaquent ses États fondateurs et contributeurs? Le FED, dans son programme 2021-2027, alloue 46 millions à l’Union des Comores, un État de 800 000 habitants provoquant, insultant et offensant à l’égard de la France, à laquelle elle conteste l’appartenance de Mayotte. Chaque année, la France verse 27 milliards à l’Union européenne. Ils sont financés par les contribuables français, dont les Mahorais. Il est ahurissant que cet argent soit utilisé contre les Mahorais. Pourquoi subventionner un pays qui organise vers Mayotte une véritable submersion migratoire? L’Union des Comores est par ailleurs utilisée par la Chine, dans l’océan Indien, comme un pion dans son jeu d’influence sur l’échiquier international. Je réitère aujourd’hui avec force que l’Union européenne doit cesser de financer ce régime. Il remet en question l’intégrité territoriale de la France et agit en faveur d’une puissance étrangère aux intérêts contraires aux nôtres.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL 2024
Speaker: Tony Murphy
Language: EN

So I would like to take this opportunity again to thank the rapporteurs for their positive comments during the debate in relation to the work of the Court of Auditors, and also the cooperation with the Court during the discharge procedure. I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank Commissioner Hahn and his colleagues. The Commission is our main auditee. We don’t always agree, but we have different roles and we respect those different roles. I think, at the end of the day, we have a common objective: to try and improve the financial management of the EU budget and also to protect the financial interests of the EU. And that’s the priority for us all, I think. Finally, as we enter this period of transition with upcoming elections, I would like to take the opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to all the Members of this House for their collaboration and close cooperation for close to five years in the various different committees, but in particular our main counterpart, which is the Committee on Budgetary Control. And I’d like to thank the Chair, Madam Hohlmeier, who is here. I am confident and hopeful that the same high level of cooperation will continue as we move forward into the next legislative body here. So thank you very much and I wish you all the best for the future.