Changes from plenary report to adopted text

Change 1

Removed2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION

Added2. European Parliament resolution of 29 April 2026 with observations forming an integral part of the decision on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2024, Section VIII – European Ombudsman (2025/2153(DEC))

Removedwith observations forming an integral part of the decision on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2024, Section VIII – European Ombudsman

Change 2

Changed9. Notes that the budget for staff missions was EUR 120 000 in 2024 (same amount as for 2023); notes nevertheless, that during 2024 a reinforcement of the budget article for missions of +38,60 % was carried out by means of internal transfer(s); notes the Ombudsman’s explanation that reinforcement was necessary due to inflation and an increase in accommodation costs, an increase in the number of necessary missions of the Ombudsman and budgetary estimations based on those of previous years, during which travel was limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic; notes that the initial missions budget for the Ombudsman remained the same in 20232024 as in the previous years (2022 and 2023), i.e. EUR 35 000; notes that, after reinforcement of that budget via internal transfers, the expenses actually incurred with the Ombudsman’s missions were in total EUR 41 326 in 2024; calls for more realistic initial budgetary forecasting for travel to minimise reliance on large mid-year transfers and ensure stable financial planning;

Change 3

Changed18. Notes from the Follow-up report that the Ombudsman continued to monitor transparency and accountability related issues linked to the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), in the framework of handling complaints in the area of public access to documents, mostly regarding negotiations on the national recovery and resilience plans (RRP); notes with concern among such issues the significant delays encountered by the Commission in replying to requests for access to information, and the level of access granted, which are likely to erode citizen’s trust in the Union administration; appreciates that the Commission, in a case regarding the Dutch RRP, following Ombudsman’s proposal for a solution, granted wider access to 172 documents; strongly condemns, however, the Commission for having taken 21 months to reply to the complainant’s (journalist) confirmatory application, i.e. in July 2024 when the granted access to documents was no longer useful for the purpose intended; agrees that in matters of significant public interest, such as the RRF, there should be no substantial delays in providing access to documents and considers that such delays amount to a denial of transparency and weaken democratic scrutiny; echoes the Ombudsman’s view that the Commission should carefully consider the existence of overriding public interest when applying the exceptions to public access under Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001; calls on the Ombudsman to inform Parliament’s relevant committees as soon as a Commission delay on RRF-related documents is too lengthy to allow for timely political scrutiny; calls furthermore on the Ombudsman to continue prioritising systemic work on undue delays in access-to-documents procedures, including by identifying recurring administrative bottlenecks and good practices across institutions, offices, bodies or agencies; supports the Ombudsman in promoting a consistent application of the ‘overriding public interest’ test, particularly for high-impact files, so that access is provided in time to be meaningful for the purposes of public scrutiny;

Change 4

Changed27. Notes that the Ombudsman makes efforts to ensure the physical and mental well-being of its staff at work and focuses on reinforcing team spirit; notes in this context that the Ombudsman organised trainings, with some of them being mandatory, on conflict resolution, giving and receiving feedback, disability and inclusion as well as on first aid in 2024; takes note that the Ombudsman adopted a policy on parental leave in 2024,2004, which, in conjunction with its policy on working time and hybrid adopted in 2021, provides flexible working arrangements which are used and appreciated by the staff; notes that in 2024 the medical service of Parliament did not alert the Ombudsman to any long-term sickness that originated in burnout;