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2012 discharge: European Railway Agency (ERA)

2013/2228(DEC)

The European Parliament adopted a decision concerning the discharge to be granted to the Executive Director of the European Railway Agency (ERA) in respect of the implementation of the Agency's budget for the financial year 2012. The vote on the discharge decision approved the closure of the accounts (in accordance with Annex VI, Article 5(1) of the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament.

Noting that the Court of Auditors stated that it has obtained reasonable assurances that the annual accounts of the Agency for the financial year 2012 are reliable, and that the underlying transactions are legal and regular, Parliament adopted by 508 votes to 66, with 11 abstentions, a resolution containing a series of recommendations that form an integral part of the discharge decision and as well as the general recommendations that appear in the draft resolution on performance, financial management and control of EU agencies.

These recommendations are summarised as follows:

  • Budget and financial management: Parliament noted that budget monitoring efforts during the financial year 2012 resulted in a budget implementation rate of 94.92% and that the payment appropriations execution rate was 85.63%.
  • Two locations: Parliament deplored the fact that using two locations (Lille and Valenciennes) to carry out its activities exposes the Agency to additional costs. It acknowledged the efforts made by the Agency to minimise the negative impact of the decision on its seat and called for a single location for the Agency, in a place easily accessible by public transport in order to save scare resources and increase its efficiency.
  • Performance: Parliament requested that the Agency communicate the results and impact its work has on European citizens in an accessible way, mainly through its website.

It also made a series of observations on transfers, procurement and recruitment procedures as well as comments on internal controls.

Lastly, Parliament stated that the Agency should review its policy on the prevention and management of conflicts of interests in 2014 on the basis of Commission's Guidelines on the matter.