2006 discharge: EC general budget, European Data Protection Supervisor

The Committee on Budgetary Control adopted the report by Nils LUNDGREN (ID, SE) recommending that the Parliament grant the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2006.

Firstly, the parliamentary committee notes that the EDPS had the following appropriations available to assure its functions: EUR 4 138 378 in commitment appropriations (compared to EUR 2 840 733 in 2005) with a utilisation rate of 93.3%.

Noting that the audit of the EDPS did not give rise to any material observations, MEPs welcome the publication by the EDPS and the Assistant EDPS, every year, of a declaration of their financial interests, in a form similar to that filled in annually by Members of the European Parliament.

At the same time, MEPs note that on 7 December 2006, the administrative cooperation agreement between the Secretaries-General of the Commission, Parliament and the Council was renewed for a further period of 3 years with effect from 16 January 2007. Based on the above-mentioned cooperation agreement, the administrative handling of all EDPS missions is ensured by the Paymaster's Office of the Commission and the same internal rules apply to the reimbursement of accommodation costs incurred on mission for its two categories, its two Members and staff.

MEPs note that the processes of ex post prior checking and issuing final opinions by the EDPS have advanced well and that this institution has set up an internal control structure appropriate to its activities and requirements.