unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: Regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 9 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Ana Paula Zacarias
Language: EN

The Statute of the European Ombudsman is a dossier that was identified as a priority for the Portuguese Presidency in the area of interinstitutional affairs. The European Ombudsman plays an important part in our EU institutional framework, notably to ensure the trust of our citizens by promoting good administration by our institutions. We aimed at providing the EU Ombudsman with a new statute that reflects the evolution of the institutional architecture of the European Union since it was first created in 1994, and bringing it into line with the Treaty of Lisbon.  As the rapporteur has just said, a lot has changed in the institutional framework of the Union since the creation of the European Ombudsman by the Maastricht Treaty and the adoption of its statute in 1994, and a lot of experience has also been accumulated during the mandates of the three holders of the office. The time is now ripe to provide the EU Ombudsman with a new statute in accordance with the Lisbon Treaty, and it was indeed a great pleasure to do so during the Portuguese Presidency, following the work of previous presidencies. I would also like to commend and sincerely thank Mr Rangel and the shadow rapporteurs for their engagement and spirit of compromise, which made it possible to bring the positions of the Council and of the Parliament together, with the valuable contribution of the European Commission.  The file is under an unusual procedure in which the Council gives its consent and the Commission its opinion to the proposal by Parliament prior to the final adoption by Parliament. Such a procedure requires good interinstitutional cooperation and indeed we found such a cooperation, which led to this result. Therefore, should this House confirm the proposal under discussion, the Council will be in a position to offer its consent swiftly – as soon as next week – in time for your final vote at the plenary session that will take place at the end of this month.  I believe the Member States will unanimously consider that this text allows the European Ombudsman to exercise her duties under a strong and clear mandate. Many of the provisions have indeed been clarified: access to information, eligibility criteria, own—initiative reports, to name but a few, allowing the European Ombudsman to act in a renewed, reinvigorated manner. Thank you again for the cooperation of Parliament. We look forward to the new updated Statute of the Ombudsman coming into force shortly, for the benefit of the citizens of Europe.
Debate: Regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 9 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Helena Dalli
Language: EN

The new statute, subject to a compromise reached by all three institutions, would ensure coherence with the legal framework of the European Union as established by the Lisbon Treaty. It would consolidate existing good practices in several areas, such as compliance with the EU data protection rules, and explicitly mention strategic enquiries or the possibility for the Ombudsperson to submit proposed solutions or suggestions for improvement. It would also put more emphasis on important issues such as harassment, whistle-blowing and conflicts of interest. Finally, it would also clarify provisions on access to documents. Constructive cooperation with the European Ombudsperson is key for the Commission, particularly as approximately two thirds of the inquiries launched by the European Ombudsperson concern the European Commission. Based upon this new statute, the Commission will continue developing this constructive relationship in the interests of European citizens, businesses and associations. I thank Ms O’Reilly again for this excellent cooperation and her personal commitment and dedication.  Honourable Members, I look forward to hearing your views, and I thank you all for your attention.
Debate: Regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 9 JUNE 2021
Speaker: EMILY O'REILLY
Language: EN

This is one area where the Parliament has the right of legislative initiative, and so from a constitutional perspective, it is a victory for Parliament to achieve such an important agreement.  The revision is a well-balanced document. It retains and even strengthens the Office’s powers of inquiry and codifies many current working practices. There are important improvements to protect the future integrity of the Office, such as the cooling-off period for politicians as candidates for the office and the need for an appropriate budget.  The Parliament and the Ombudsman have always enjoyed a very close and a very constructive relationship. This new statute strengthens that bond between our institutions. It shows the Parliament’s continued determination to make the EU more citizen-friendly and to continue to hold the EU administration accountable to the highest standards. Since I was elected by this House in 2013, together with our dedicated staff, I have restructured and reformed the Office, making it more efficient and more effective to the benefit of European citizens and residents.  Thank you again for your support for our work, for a small office with a big mandate. I look forward to the vote and to the final adoption later this month in Brussels.
Debate: Regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 9 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Danuta Maria Hübner
Political group: PPE
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Beyond the role of mediator set out in the statute, the Ombudsman’s task also includes the wider role of providing best practices. This role has facilitated broad adherence by the EU institutions to the Ombudsman’s solutions and recommendations. We are here today with the aim to further strengthen and improve the Ombudsman’s role and effectiveness. The European Parliament has proposed changes to the Statute of the European Ombudsman in order to modernise it, bring it under the legal framework of the Lisbon Treaty, and into the 21st century. The Portuguese Presidency has made Ombudsman’s statute one of its priorities. There were long negotiations, a lot of goodwill and pragmatism from all sides to reach a text that reflects the position of both the Parliament and the Council. The satisfaction with the outcome is shared by a large majority of this House: no amendments were tabled in the Committee on Constitutional Affairs or in plenary. With the new statute, the Ombudsman is definitely better equipped to act. A stronger Ombudsman will benefit citizens.
Debate: Regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 9 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Brando Benifei
Political group: S-D
Country: Italy
Language: IT

È stato un vero onore e un impegno significativo l'aver collaborato insieme al relatore Paulo Rangel e ai colleghi relatori ombra al nuovo statuto del mediatore europeo in commissione per gli affari costituzionali.  Credo che il risultato di oggi dimostri la capacità di questo Parlamento di produrre testi legislativi di qualità, la migliore pubblicità per rafforzare il diritto di iniziativa legislativa del Parlamento europeo su cui lavoreremo in questa legislatura. Lo statuto del mediatore esce rafforzato dai negoziati. Abbiamo potenziato il margine di iniziativa, salvaguardando l'indipendenza nei confronti delle altre istituzioni; abbiamo inserito un periodo cosiddetto di raffreddamento di due anni in modo da scongiurare conflitti di interessi; abbiamo ampliato le competenze per indagini relative a molestie e  Nella sessione di voto odierna daremo un appoggio pieno al testo del nuovo regolamento per sostenere una maggior tutela dei diritti dei cittadini europei.
Debate: Regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 9 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Maite Pagazaurtundúa
Political group: Renew
Country: Germany
Language: ES

Y las instituciones europeas estamos obligadas a responder de una manera eficaz a esa voz de los europeos que nos exige respuestas. Hoy debatimos la propuesta de reforma del Estatuto del Defensor del Pueblo Europeo, que tan bien ha liderado el señor Rangel y que ampliará competencias para que podamos ser más eficaces en esa respuesta a las voces de los europeos. El ponente ha realizado una presentación clara. Yo destacaré solo dos aspectos: garantizar la neutralidad e independencia del Defensor y contar con herramientas y competencias suficientes para satisfacer esas demandas. Se ha conseguido: deben transcurrir dos años antes de que un miembro de un Gobierno nacional o institución europea pueda ser candidato a defensor y se conceden poderes de iniciativa para poder realizar investigaciones de oficio. Gracias, señor Rangel, por su tenacidad y su fuerza. Y es importante también otro aspecto de la propuesta, el que refleja la cooperación que debe existir entre el Defensor del Pueblo Europeo y las autoridades de los Estados miembros. Según el último informe anual, 1 300 reclamaciones presentadas por los ciudadanos europeos fueron declaradas inadmisibles, y de ahora en adelante tendremos que tener en cuenta que esto no puede ocurrir. Que los ciudadanos no se sientan desamparados, que sepan dónde tienen que llevar sus quejas, que la cooperación entre instituciones pueda evitar ese tipo de situaciones y, sobre todo, que evitemos, en la medida de lo posible, la frustración del ciudadano y el deterioro de la imagen de nuestras instituciones y la impunidad. Es muy necesario para el futuro de Europa. Enhorabuena a todos.
Debate: Regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 9 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Daniel Freund
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Spain
Language: EN

But I guess the good work that the Ombudsman has been doing for many years – holding those in power to account, fighting for more transparency against excessive revolving doors, for more transparency in the Council, for example – has not only created fans of the institution of the Ombudsman.  So in this situation, thank you to you Paolo for having negotiated what remains a good compromise. I would have liked to seen it stronger, but I’m glad we managed this revision of the statute.
Debate: Regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 9 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Virginie Joron
Political group: ID
Country: Estonia
Language: FR

Le Médiateur européen, parce que sa saisine est gratuite, parce que son action est rapide – moins de cinq mois en moyenne –, a entre autres permis d’ouvrir la question de la mauvaise administration de la Commission. Combat pour la transparence des contrats d’achat des vaccins AstraZeneca ou Pfizer, dénonciation du pantouflage du chef de l’Autorité bancaire européenne: le Médiateur est un rempart contre cette Union européenne désincarnée et souvent loin des préoccupations des citoyens européens. Maintenant, je regrette que le statut du Médiateur dont nous parlons aujourd’hui n’évoque pas la question du respect de ses décisions par les institutions de Bruxelles. J’ouvre d’ailleurs ici une autre piste pour le Médiateur: outre le scandale du remdesivir, pourquoi les experts auditionnés par des membres du Parlement européen ne sont-ils pas tenus responsables de leurs propos ou de leur non-réponse aux questions qui leur sont posées lors d’auditions parlementaires? Pour terminer, je n’ai qu’un seul reproche: c’est la question du siège de Strasbourg. Il est clair que les conditions sanitaires auraient permis de maintenir les sessions à Strasbourg. À cet égard, le Médiateur, que nous avons saisi pour défendre l’Alsace, aurait dû être plus respectueux du droit, de l’histoire et des Strasbourgeois.
Debate: Regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 9 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Jorge Buxadé Villalba
Political group: ECR
Country: Spain
Language: ES

El año pasado esa institución nos costó a los europeos doce millones y medio de euros. Todo para 728 reclamaciones, de las cuales la mitad solo se convirtieron en verdaderas investigaciones. Calculen: 34 000 euros por investigación, un ejemplo de gasto político eficiente.  ¿Qué valor añadido da esta institución? ¿Por qué están empeñados en crear instituciones, dotarlas de competencias y generar más gasto? En un momento en el que a los europeos se les dice que tienen que pagar los test, que tienen que pagar las mascarillas, y se suben los impuestos para sufragar una crisis económica, nosotros estamos por ampliar las competencias de las instituciones.  Creo que se está dando un mensaje muy claro y es que a esta Cámara no le importa nada el futuro de Europa. Aprovechen la Conferencia sobre el Futuro de Europa para proponer la desaparición de esta institución.
Debate: Regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 9 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Helmut Scholz
Political group: The Left
Country: Luxembourg
Language: DE

Meine Fraktion begrüßt die Neuerungen des Statuts, vor allem den Vorschlag des Parlaments von Anfang des Jahres, eine zweijährige Karenz für Europaabgeordnete, Ministerinnen und Minister oder EU-Kommissions-Mitglieder, die Europäische Bürgerbeauftragte werden möchten, einzuführen. Wir begrüßen auch ausdrücklich, dass die Bürgerbeauftragte nun auch für den Schutz von Whistleblowern zuständig ist. Wir befürworten auch die rechtliche Einigung auf die derzeitige Praxis, die der Bürgerbeauftragten das Recht verleiht, auf eigene Initiative Untersuchungen durchzuführen und Empfehlungen auszusprechen. Der Jahresbericht 2020 macht deutlich, wie wichtig das ist – gerade im Interesse des Vertrauens von Bürgerinnen und Bürgern in die Politik, in die EU-Institutionen. Deshalb unserer Bürgerbeauftragten viel Kraft und weiterhin auch Engagement! Und ich versichere, das Europäische Parlament wird das Seinige dafür tun, dass es so erfolgreich weitergeht.
Debate: Regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 9 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Alex Agius Saliba
Political group: S-D
Country: Malta
Language: EN

Madam President, this is a wonderful example of the European Parliament maintaining democracy. I want, first of all, to congratulate my colleagues in the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) for this important achievement that preserves the autonomy of the mandate of the European Ombudsman.  This long—awaited statute will increase the role, and also the capacity, of the European Ombudsman as an independent and impartial body in charge of supporting our citizens, businesses and organisations in the face of problems with the EU administration by investigating complaints about maladministration by EU institutions and bodies. The Committee on Petitions (PETI) is playing a crucial role in the Ombudsman’s election by holding hearings where the candidates running for the post of European Ombudsman present their priorities. Therefore, for us, the introduction of the new cooling—off period of two years is a key priority and also a guarantee of the independence of this position, which is also a crucial element for the functioning of the EU in a transparent and democratic way.
Debate: Regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 9 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Margrete Auken
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Denmark
Language: DA

Fru Formand! Som dansk politiker med lang erfaring fra Folketinget med ombudsmanden, ved jeg, at en ombudsmand dels skal være helt uafhængig af partipolitik, dels altid være klar til at kritisere myndighederne, hvis de ikke overholder god administration eller på anden måde krænker borgernes rettigheder. En dygtig ombudsmand er ofte upopulær hos magten, og sådan skal det være. Jeg fik et mindre chok, da jeg i 2004 kom til EU-Parlamentet, og ved valg af ombudsmanden opdagede et heftigt forsøg på partipolitisk styring, som vi hver gang kun med nød og næppe afværgede. I arbejdet med denne revision, har vi da også set flere regeringer prøve at svække embedet. Det er derfor befriende, at vi nu sikrer ombudsmandsvalget mod partipolitik og også gør hendes ret til at indlede egenundersøgelse af EU's institutioner aldeles klar. Det er af stor betydning for demokratiet at have en uafhængig og kompetent ombudsmand. Og jeg vil anbefale de medlemslande, der ikke har en rigtige ombudsmand, snarest at få det. I kan bruge den danske som model, men nu også den europæiske. Det er godt.
Debate: Regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 9 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Gilles Lebreton
Political group: ID
Country: Germany
Language: FR

Madame la Présidente, chers collègues, l’Union européenne est une lourde machine administrative dont les dysfonctionnements peuvent avoir de graves conséquences pour les administrés. Le rôle du Médiateur est précisément de remédier à ces dysfonctionnements. Le Médiateur s’est correctement acquitté de cette tâche depuis sa création en 1995, mais s’avoue parfois impuissant. Il est donc essentiel d’accroître ses pouvoirs pour augmenter son efficacité. C’est précisément l’objet du projet de règlement dont nous débattons. Il vise notamment à permettre au Médiateur de mener des enquêtes de sa propre initiative, indépendamment de toute plainte. Il contraint aussi plus clairement qu’auparavant les institutions, organes et organismes de l’Union à lui fournir loyalement les informations qu’il demande dans le cadre de ses enquêtes. Je soutiens donc cette réforme, car elle permettra au Médiateur de lutter plus efficacement contre les dysfonctionnements de l’Union, même si elle ne suffira pas, loin s’en faut, à résoudre tous les problèmes.
Debate: Regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 9 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Gabriele Bischoff
Political group: S-D
Country: France
Language: DE

Frau Präsidentin! Ich begrüße ganz herzlich die Bürgerbeauftragte, Frau O'Reilly, hier. Es ist ein gutes Signal, eine solche Einigung zu haben für die Bürgerinnen und Bürger Europas. Und ich glaube, das ist genau der Grund, warum die rechte Seite hier versucht, das schlechtzureden: Weil sie wissen, dass das Amt des Bürgerbeauftragten in den letzten Jahren wesentlich dazu beigetragen hat, das Vertrauen und das Ansehen der europäischen Institutionen zu stärken und vor allen Dingen auch den Anspruch zu untermauern, ein Recht auf eine gute Verwaltung zu haben.  Deshalb freue ich mich ganz besonders, dass es dem Kollegen Paulo Rangel gelungen ist, zusammen mit Kommissarin Dalli, zusammen mit der portugiesischen Ratspräsidentschaft, Ihnen, Frau Zacarias, diese Einigung hinzubekommen, weil ich glaube, dass es wirklich ganz wichtig ist, auch hier nach einer so langen Zeit – nach über 25 Jahren – einen Schritt vorwärts zu gehen. Viele hätten gerne noch größere Schritte gemacht, aber so ist das in der Politik, wenn drei Institutionen zusammenarbeiten. Deshalb kann ich allen nur gratulieren und hoffe, dass die Bürgerinnen und Bürger das auch bald gut mitbekommen.
Debate: Regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 9 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Helena Dalli
Language: EN

I reiterate that the European Commission is satisfied with the negotiated proposal and is ready to issue a positive opinion. Good administration, which is the main aim of the work of the European Ombudsperson, as enshrined in Article 41 of the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights, helps to deliver an open, accessible and well—managed EU administration for all citizens, companies and associations with whom all our institutions, agencies, bodies and offices interact on a daily basis. The European Commission should, in principle, issue its opinion on your proposal on 18 June, allowing the new regulation to be voted as planned at the coming plenary session.  Thank you once more for your attention and for the good work on this file.
Debate: Regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties
Date: WEDNESDAY, 9 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Ana Paula Zacarias
Language: PT

Gostaria também de, mais uma vez, agradecer o trabalho, a dedicação, o profundo conhecimento jurídico e o pragmatismo do relator Paulo Rangel e da sua equipa. Agradecer, também, o espírito de compromisso dos relatores—sombra das diferentes famílias políticas deste Parlamento, da Comissão Europeia e também dos Estados-Membros, que apoiaram a Presidência portuguesa durante as consultas informais que permitiram alcançar o presente resultado.  Confirmada a opinião positiva da Comissão, resta-me também, pelo meu lado, reiterar que, se esta casa aprovar a proposta em debate, o Conselho estará em posição de dar o seu consentimento a tempo da próxima sessão plenária de junho.
Debate: The th anniversary of the mass deportations of - June
Date: WEDNESDAY, 9 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Rainer Wieland
Country: Germany
Language: DE

Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über die Erklärung der Kommission zum 80. Jahrestag der Massendeportationen vom 14.–18. Juni 1941 ( Ich weise die Mitglieder darauf hin, dass im Zuge dieser Aussprache eine Rednerrunde der Fraktionen vorgesehen ist.
Debate: The th anniversary of the mass deportations of - June
Date: WEDNESDAY, 9 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Helena Dalli
Language: EN

These historical facts are undeniable and preserving their memory is among the main pillars of the European project, but also our responsibility for its future. The signature of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union on 23 August 1939 opened a dark chapter in European history and paved the way for World War II. The Nazi—Soviet Alliance enabled the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany and soon afterwards by Soviet troops that subsequently annexed also the Baltic republics and Bessarabia.  Today’s commemoration shows that we must highlight the horrors committed by both regimes. The Nazi occupation led to the countless crimes against civilians and to the Holocaust. The Soviet occupation which followed the invasion of 1939 and annexations of 1940, led at the same time to massive crimes against the population in the occupied territories of Poland, as well as in the Baltic states and other areas under Soviet occupation. The mass deportation of political, economic and intellectual elites to the wastelands of the Soviet Union was a brutal act meant to establish Bolshevik control over these countries. They were meant to suppress and destroy part of society that Stalin and his henchmen saw as threats or just undesirable. Most of the deportees – men, women and children – were sent to Siberia, and many of them died. I know that there are many among you who have relatives that were victims of the deportations. We will never forget them.  The Soviet occupation had devastating consequences for a large part of Europe. Yes, history is complicated and we cannot forget about the role that the Red Army soldiers played in the crucial part of the war when Hitler betrayed Stalin and launched an attack of unprecedented size and leading to immense suffering of the people of Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. It is a fact that these soldiers pushed out the German soldiers from Central and Eastern Europe after heroic sacrifices. It is a fact that they played a key role in liberating Central and Eastern Europe from Nazism. However, after the end of World War II, Central and Eastern Europeans continued to endure suffering under the totalitarian communist regimes for decades. This is why we have established 23 August as the official day of the memory of the millions of victims of totalitarian regimes.  The Commission encourages Member States to examine the possibility to adhere to this Europe-wide day in the light of their own history and specificities. Preserving and promoting the shared memory of the crimes committed by totalitarian regimes is also crucial to educate younger generations. It shows how important it is to defend democracy and fundamental rights. I am looking forward to your discussion today.