Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

Added82. Welcomes that, in 2024, the administration implemented Parliament’s ‘Building Strategy Beyond 2019’, and achieved its main objectives; notes with satisfaction that DG INLO, after years of expansion brought on by the growth of Parliament’s institutional powers, now concentrates on the consolidation of Parliament’s building stock and renovation of existing premises, welcomes DG INLO’s commitment to further developing Parliament’s role in the cities of Strasbourg, Brussels, and Luxembourg, fostering projects of common interest, and connecting the sites to the surrounding areas;

Removed63. Recalls that during its meeting on 12 June 2023, the Bureau discussed the steps for the renewal of the SPAAK building; notes that the Bureau expressed a preference for a comprehensive environmental renovation and approved the project on 11 December 2023; appreciates that the SPAAK renewal project will be used as a reference for sustainable building techniques for other building operations; notes that DG INLO has made progress with the preliminary projects in connection with the SPAAK building renovation by launching studies in connection to the new central technical room of Directorate-General for Logistics and Interpretation for Conferences (DG LINC), the reorganisation of the Print Shop, the move of the Cabinets and the media and press area;

Added83. Calls on Parliament’s administration to continue to pursue an active building strategy, integrating infrastructural and logistical needs, reviewing cost-saving measures, such as the use of hybrid meeting technologies, and the consolidation of parliamentary activities; calls on Parliament to ensure that its biodiversity-mainstreaming objectives are also taken into consideration in building management and renovation projects, including an estimation of the associated costs; notes that major building projects involve complex negotiations and significant legal scrutiny; calls on Parliament’s administration to ensure structured ex-post reporting to the discharge authority on such projects, including negotiation processes, risk-mitigation measures and legal assessments, in order to strengthen transparency and institutional learning;

Removed64. Notes that DG INLO develops a concept for optimisation of office space with the aim to use current offices in a manner which uses the full potential of Parliament’s members of staff and keeps them socially engaged inside Parliament; notes that for this concept the MARTENS, TRÈVES II and ARENDT buildings in Brussels are used as an inspiration, focusing on 'activity-based workplace' including social areas for meetings, informal gatherings and exchanges; notes that a general concept was also studied for the KOHL building, taking into account its structural limitations and budgetary constraints; calls on DG INLO to make the perspectives of users central to the development of this concept and to prioritise its implementation in buildings where optimisation is most needed;

Added84. Notes with concern the persistent shortage of meeting and seminar rooms within Parliament, which makes booking spaces increasingly difficult and requires planning far in advance; regrets that this situation hinders the efficient organisation of parliamentary work and limits flexibility for Members and members of staff; takes note of the upcoming renovation of the SPAAK building which is in line with Union’s energy performance requirements; calls on Parliament’s administration to implement measures to mitigate the impact of the renovation and to ensure that sufficient facilities are available to support Parliament’s operational needs;

Added85. Takes note of building projects in 2024, and in particular, the completion of the West Wing of the ADENAUER II building in Luxembourg, bringing all Parliament’s members of staff and services together under the same roof; notes that the new security and visitors’ reception pavilion in the WEISS building in Strasbourg was completed in time for the start of the new legislature in July 2024; notes the acquisition of the TRÈVES II building in Brussels, further consolidating Parliament’s stock of buildings in the city’s European quarter; requests to be provided with an updated timetable for the interconnection of the TRÈVES I and TRÈVES II to the main central buildings in Brussels; requests to address some structural problems that are still pending in the TRÈVES I building such as the unstable heating system, the lack of air conditioning and toilets for persons with reduced mobility, the poor sound proofing, as well as the sewage problem; encourages more frequent cleaning of heating air vents in the SPINELLI building to prevent the build-up of dust and mould in offices and to improve the health of staff at work;

Added86. Recalls that during its meeting on 12 June 2023, the Bureau discussed the steps for the renovation of the SPAAK building; notes that the Bureau expressed a preference for a comprehensive environmental renovation and approved the project on 11 December 2023; notes that DG INLO has made progress with the preliminary projects in connection with the renovation of SPAAK building by launching studies in connection with the new central technical room of the Directorate-General for Logistics and Interpretation for Conferences (DG LINC), the reorganisation of the Print Shop, the move of the Cabinets and the media and press area;

Added87. Takes note that EUR 4 million is included in the 2026 estimates for studies and the contractor's preparatory works related to the renovation of the SPAAK building while the overall costs are estimated at EUR 36 million; notes therefore that EUR 32 million of costs related to the renovation of the SPAAK building are not included in the 2026 estimates; notes that the Secretary-General intends to cover these costs by a mopping-up transfer or the use of a loan; requests the Secretary-General to provide Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control with detailed information on a possible loan to cover these costs as soon as possible; notes that as of December 2024, the direct costs of the SPAAK project amounted to EUR 14,12 million; is of the opinion that the evolution of costs of the renovation of the SPAAK building must be closely and carefully monitored;

Added88. Notes that DG INLO develops a concept for optimisation of office space with the aim to use current offices in a manner which uses the full potential of Parliament’s members of staff and keeps them socially engaged inside Parliament; notes that for this concept the MARTENS, TRÈVES II and ARENDT buildings in Brussels are used as an inspiration, focusing on an 'activity-based workplace' including social areas for meetings, informal gatherings and exchanges; notes that a general concept was also studied for the KOHL building, taking into account its structural limitations and budgetary constraints; calls on DG INLO to make the perspectives of users central to the development of this concept and to prioritise its implementation in buildings where optimisation is most needed, and always in consultation with the staff representatives;

Added89. Points out that a large share of the seats available in the vehicle fleet commuting between Brussels and Strasbourg for plenary sessions remained unoccupied in 2024; calls on the Parliament's administration to look into widening the user group making more efficient use of the service fleet, while making sure that Member's seats are secured;

Added90. Encourages the gym to offer more courses that support physical and mental well-being, in order to reach a wider range of staff;

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Directorate-General for Finance

91. Recalls that DG FINS is the administrative body responsible for Parliament’s budgetary and financial affairs; notes that by 31 December 2024, there were 262 members of staff, of which 134 were officials, 51 were temporary agents, 77 were contract agents, and there were no agency members of staff;

92. Notes that DG FINS’s final appropriations amounted to EUR 442 954 175 in 2024, representing 18,6 % of Parliament’s budget; highlights that, of that amount, a total of EUR 441 848 935 was committed (99,75 %); welcomes the high use of appropriations;

93. Calls on DG FINS to actively engage with the OECD’s Best Practices for Parliaments in Budgeting (2022–23) recommendations and strengthen implementation of performance-based budgeting; recalls that many Member States have already adopted performance-based budgeting and reported significant savings;

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Added94. Notes that the current fiscal pressure calls for financial prudence and efficiency, also within Parliament’s administrative budget, in order to demonstrate institutional responsibility, where appropriate and without jeopardising its role in the Union institutional setting and its core functions; calls on Parliament’s administration to explore innovative budgeting tools, including performance informed budgeting, that could enhance transparency, accountability and efficiency of the budgeting process, ensuring public resources are spent responsibly; notes that such options should not be to the detriment of the financial commitments already planned or undertaken and should not affect in any way the quality of services provided to Members and staff and neither the financial obligations incurred based on the existing rules in force;

95. Notes that 2024 was a special year for DG FINS in that it was the year of the European elections, which took place in June 2024; notes that support activities for Members increased significantly in 2024, managing rights and obligations of both outgoing and newly elected Members;

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Changed69.96. Recommends that DG FINS establishes a risk-based approach to controlling and auditing Members’ expenditure;expenditure and processes aligned with the principles of good governance, notably transparency, accountability, responsiveness and equity; acknowledges that it is essential to have a (sample based) baseline level of control to ensure compliance with the rules; welcomes thatthat, in the event of a higher risk of irregular spending by a Member, the administration can exercise its right to check the funds concerned; emphasises that, while such controls are welcomed, their effectiveness depends on the carrying out a follow-up in a timely manner to irregular spending that has been identified;

97. Acknowledges the problem of attracting members of staff to DG FINS, caused by a lack of candidates on EPSO lists in finance and IT fields, and difficulties in attracting members of staff to Luxembourg, where 45 % of DG FINS posts are based; notes the difficulty in attracting members of staff to Luxembourg because the remuneration on the local labour market is equal or better than in Parliament, and the cost of living is high, particularly as regards housing;

98. Takes note of the ‘2024 DG FINS Digital and Capital Transformation’ initiative, the first two programmes of which (‘Digital transformation for improved financial services for Members’ and ‘Digital transformation for improved services for Parliament’s administration’) seek to further the digital transformation of the services offered by DG FINS, whether those be Members or the institution’s financial actors; notes that the third strategic programme (‘Capital Transformation for a more productive and cohesive workplace’) aims to create a more productive and cohesive working environment;

99. Welcomes the work done by DG FINS in the aftermath of the 2024 European Elections, with the departure of outgoing Members, and welcoming of new Members and the related administrative proceedings; recalls the successful welcome village and the information from various services brought together to allow Members to avail of a one-stop-option for being informed and making the necessary declarations at the start of their mandate; commends DG FINS for preparing 705 individual files, including simulations of the status of their social and financial entitlements, and for preparing the four notices from the Quaestors to inform Members of their rights and obligations at the end of the parliamentary term;

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Changed73.100. Notes the statement of assurance signed by the Director-Generaldirector-general of DG FINS; notes the remark made in the statement of assurance concerning the residual risk of errors or irregularities in the reimbursement of certain travel expenses for Members, mainly concerning the reimbursement claims for travel by car, and the payment of a distance and duration allowance,allowance; asnotes the actual expenses incurred cannotmitigating beactions verifiedsuggested sinceby thereDG isFINS noand requirementcalls tofor submitswift proofimplementation of these costs claimed for reimbursement;risk-reducing notesmeasures; thatrequests the financial impactprovision of thisa residualreport riskto mightthe exceeddischarge EURauthority 9on millionthe perfinancial year;impact notesand the mitigatingeffectiveness actionsof suggestedthe bymeasures DGtaken, FINSpresenting andthe callscosts forof theircontrol swiftof implementation;different evidence-based options;

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Added101. Notes with concern that the reimbursement of travel expenses for Members frequently exceeds three months; calls on the administration and DG FINS to significantly accelerate reimbursement procedures, including through further digitalisation, simplified verification processes and clearer internal deadlines, while fully respecting financial control requirements;

102. Welcomes the intensified work on the ‘EP Finance Academy by DG FINS’ which concerned the provision of twelve online video tutorials, in addition to the existing offering of in-person and hybrid training courses; underlines the importance of training on financial matters for members of staff across Parliament, and welcomes the procurement training sessions for members of staff of the political groups, and invites DG FINS to provide enhanced support to political groups in the public procurement processes, in particular in light of the findings of the Court; suggests to DG FINS to provide an alignment of practices applied by different political groups in the public procurement field;

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Changed75.103. NotesHighlights that there is no obligationMembers onare Membersfree to document their use of the funds under the General Expenditure Allowance (GEA); highlights that they can do so voluntarily in detail or by type of cost, on their own or with the support of an external auditor, and that they can choose to have this information published in whole or in part on their online page on Parliament’s website in accordance with Rule 11(2) of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure; considers maximum transparency a good practice; welcomes that a simplified list of types of costs is integrated into the Implementing Measures for the Statute for Members (IMSM)andand that an amendment clarifying the possibility for Members to use the GEA when an exhaustion of other allowances has also been adopted; notes that all Members have been informed about the specifics of this allowance; considers maximum transparency a good practice;

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Changed76.104. Notes that the GEA was EUR 4 950 per month in 2024 and accounts for approximately EUR 40 million per yearyear; spentrecalls withoutthat anyno requirementsindexation forof financialthe management;allowance regretswas that,made atin its2022 meetingor on2024; 17notes Octoberthat 2022,Parliament complies with current rules regarding the BureauGEA; adoptedrecalls thisthe decisionneed withoutto establishingavoid anyan oversightunnecessary framework;administrative burden for Members;

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Added105. Notes that the current Implementing Measures for the Statute for Members does not lay down transparency requirements for financial management of the GEA; notes that, at its meeting on 17 October 2022, the Bureau adopted this decision without establishing any oversight framework;

106. Recalls that the European Ombudsman, in her recommendation of 29 April 2019 in case 1651/2018/THH, found that Parliament’s refusal to grant public access to documents related to the revision of the list of expenses covered by the GEA constituted maladministration, recommending access be granted to the Parliament Bureau’s ad hoc Working Group proposal; regrets that Parliament rejected this recommendation and urges reconsideration;

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Removed78. Calls for reform of the GEA, whereby Members keep all receipts related to the GEA, annually publish a private overview of expenditure to DG FINS, and that Parliament establish an annual 5 % sample check of GEA expenditure by Members;

Directorate-General for Information Technologies and Cybersecurity

107. Recalls that DG ITEC provides Parliament with information and communications technology (ICT) services and equipment, videoconferencing and multimedia services as well as publishing and printing services; notes that by 31 December 2024, there were 579 members of staff in DG ITEC, of which 369 were officials, 70 were temporary agents and 140 were contract staff;

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Added108. Calls on Parliament to adopt a comprehensive digital transformation strategy, incorporating technical solutions for document management and communication to ensure transparency, improve efficiency, safeguard security and move towards a paperless administration; calls for the development of user-friendly digital platforms to enhance e-participation, allowing Union citizens to provide feedback on proposed legislation and access Parliament's activities in real-time;

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109. Notes that DG ITEC’s final appropriations amounted to EUR 179 396 522 in 2024 representing 7,5 % of Parliament’s budget; highlights that, of that amount, a total of EUR 179 349 479 was committed; welcomes the high use of appropriations;

110. Takes note of DG ITEC’s continued efforts to provide cybersecurity given the ever growing threat and risk landscape affecting Parliament; notes the entry into force of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2023/2841 of the European Parliament and of the Council which formalised the mission of CERT-EU as the Cybersecurity Service for Union entities; notes that Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2023/2841 also establishes an Interinstitutional Cybersecurity Board (IICB), responsible for monitoring and supporting the implementation of that Regulation in all Union entities; notes that Parliament has been the Chair of this board since 2024;

111. Takes note that following the Bureau’s decision in February 2021 regarding the necessity to house Parliament’s data centre in the highest available industry standard (Tier IV), DG ITEC awarded the contract in 2022, allowing for the set-up and roll-out of the data centre in 2023; highlights that this significant investment ensures a futureproof infrastructure for years to come, and is key in maintaining a robust hybrid work environment for Parliament;

112. Underlines that cybersecurity must be seen as an integral, ongoing priority across all stages of operations rather than merely as a target; highlights that cybersecurity requires a comprehensive strategy that encompasses all aspects of digital governance within Parliament; calls for a review of Parliament’s IT governance structures, advocating for a more robust and adaptable approach to cybersecurity that considers the full lifecycle of information systems, in view of the increasing number of applications, currently more than 20, that are directly accessible via the internet; highlights that this situation requires enhanced oversight to minimise vulnerabilities and protect institutional data from external threats;

113. Calls for continued investments in cybersecurity infrastructure, as well as ongoing education and resources for members of staff, to reinforce a culture of security consciousness that strengthens Parliament's resilience against potential digital threats;

114. Notes the emphasis on creating awareness among all Members and staff concerning cybersecurity; welcomes the training offer provided by DG ITEC and DG PERS; notes the high number of participants in the training courses on cybersecurity, reaching 33 participants for training courses and at least 1 800 participants in awareness raising activities;

115. Notes that the current Human Resources Management system (HRM Portal) remains insufficiently integrated with other Parliament systems; takes note that simple procedures such as leave requests still require APAs to download, print, scan and manually transmit documents, while leave balances must be checked on a separate platform; stresses that these fragmented processes create an unnecessary administrative burden and workflow inefficiencies; calls on the administration to modernise and streamline these procedures and to ensure full interoperability between HRM tools and other Parliament systems;

116. Highlights that support to Members has been expanded to include non-working hours and office closing days; notes that to meet the evolution of Members' needs and working practices, based on user surveys and on direct requests of the Governing Bodies, a new set of dedicated IT support services have been deployed for Members' private MacOS and iOS devices; highlights that technical assistance for social media is being promoted, together with a full range of services related to the technical aspects of audiovisual creation;

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Changed88.117. Welcomes the establishment of a new governance framework for AI, with an AI Governance Board overseeing Parliament’s AI strategy and roadmap and ensuring regulatory compliance and ethical oversight, an Inter-DG Steering Group on AI responsible for drafting AI strategies, develop key capabilities and ensure long-term safety and sustainability, and an AI Centre of Competence within DG ITEC, that guides, promotes and monitors AI initiatives across Parliament; notes that this governance framework will ensure transparency and compliance with Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 of the European Parliament and of the Council, which entered into force on 1 August 2024 with its provisions becoming applicable from 2025 onwards; notes that Parliament’s members of staff can make use of third-party publicly available generative AI tools if they respect the guidelines on the use of publicly available AI tools for Parliament’s members of staff, approved by the Secretary-General on 16 April 2024, under the strict understanding that they support professional duties only; calls on the administration to step up its efforts to train staff in the efficient and secure use of new technologies such as AI;

Horizontal issues with implications on Parliament’s budget for the 2024 financial year

Transparency and ethics

118. Notes that, in 2024, six reports of whistleblower cases were received under the Internal Rules Implementing Article 22c of the Staff Regulations, five through official channels and one from another Union institution; notes that one case was referred to the EPPO, two led to administrative inquiries, and one was sent to the Consultative Committee on the Code of Conduct of Members, with the external report also triggering an inquiry;

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Changed90.119. Welcomes that ethics training remained a priority but regretsand that onlywith as little as 13 ‘Let’s Talk Ethics’ sessions trainedsessions, 178 staff,staff received training, tailored courses reached 109 participants, and the mandatory induction for APAs achieved a 72 % completion rate; welcomes that the new course for managers on ethical leadership and harassment prevention trainedprovided training to 320 managers across 33 sessions;

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Changed91.120. Insists that the measures of transparency, accountability, and ethical governance be reinforced; considers that Parliament has to strengthenensure itsa culture of integrity,integrity embedding ethical standards into daily operations for not damaging the trust of citizens and reinforcing its legitimacy in oversight; calls for the continuation and strengthening of cooperation and dialogue on integrity, transparency, and standards on conduct within the Union institutions;

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Added121. Acknowledges the positive evaluation of the technical implementation of the Code of Conduct for Members of the European Parliament Regarding Integrity and Transparency, as reported to the Bureau; calls for additional efforts to enhance transparency across all sectors and services of Parliament, with particular emphasis on legislative production; in this regard invites Parliament administration not to limit introduction of transparency requirements to management level;

Added122. Welcomes the increased use of the Transparency Register as an information and reference tool for interest representation activities at Union level; welcomes the development of IT solutions to improve the Transparency Register, but notes that its Secretariat is still underfunded and understaffed; notes that the quality of entries in the Transparency Register has improved and recalls the necessity to keep strengthening data quality checks of new applicants; welcomes the establishment of robust standards at Parliament with regard to transparency and access to institutions for entities listed in the Transparency Register; calls for inter-linking the Transparency Register and the Financial Transparency System in order to allow cross-checks of entities listed in the Transparency Register and verify the adequacy of the data submitted; reiterates, in this context, the need for comprehensive financial pre-screening of all entities before they are listed in the Transparency Register, and calls in this respect for the Transparency Register to be provided with adequate resources for its functioning and for the effective enforcement of its internal rules; further calls on Parliament’s administration to ensure interinstitutional media transparency and to disclose all media outlets receiving Union funds;

Added123. Calls on the Court to specifically examine media funding;

Digitalisation, cybersecurity, and AI

124. Calls on Parliament to continue to strengthen its efforts and address concrete critical challenges such as cybersecurity and AI;

125. Recalls that the AI Governance framework was established by the Bureau in March 2024; underlines the urgent need to adopt a comprehensive AI strategy and a roadmap, including a proposal for an action plan;

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Changed94.126. Notes that the work is progressing on Parliament’s internal platform dedicated to generative AI; reiterates that this platform is a key element for the compliant and secure implementation of AI projects;projects, particularly for the support of Members in their activities;

127. Calls on Parliament’s administration to ensure that AI projects are carried out in full conformity with governance requirements, while providing access in a way that both safeguards sensitive data and allows the use of publicly available information;

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Added128. Calls on Parliament’s administration to strengthen transparency and accessibility of parliamentary work by making use of AI solutions to enable the systematic availability of digital, searchable and reusable transcripts of all committee debates, including exchanges with Commissioners, experts and stakeholders; stresses that such transcripts should be made available in a timely manner; underlines that improved access to committee debates would enhance democratic scrutiny, institutional memory and citizens’ understanding of Parliament’s legislative work;

Added129. Acknowledges the significant improvements made to the plenary website, including enhanced accessibility of roll-call vote verification tools, which have contributed to greater transparency and accuracy of parliamentary voting records; nevertheless calls for further improvements to the usability and presentation of voting-related information;

Voluntary Pension Scheme(VPS)

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Changed96.130. Notes with concern the excessively high costsunderfunding of the Voluntary Pension Scheme, which impose a substantial and unsustainable burden on the Union budget through a persistent deficit of EUR 105 million at the end of 2024 and limited assets of EUR 23,17 million projected to be exhausted by late 2026; notes that escalating obligations stem from legal payment commitments to over 900 members until at least 2074;

131. Notes that, at its meeting on 12 June 2023, the Bureau decided on a combination of measures to change the conditions of the voluntary pension scheme to address the situation; highlights that these measures included the reduction of the nominal pension by 50 % not only to future beneficiaries holding pension rights in the process of being acquired but also to current beneficiaries already holding acquired pension rights, that the yearly indexation of the pension amounts be frozen, and that the retirement age is increased from 65 to 67 for the beneficiaries who have not yet reached pension age; highlights that the effects have been estimated by the actuaries to decrease the pension obligation of the voluntary pension as of 1 July 2023 with actuarial assumption on 1 July 2023;

132. Notes that the Bureau also introduced a ‘hardship clause’ allowing beneficiaries to submit a request to the Quaestors for an increase in the pension amount in cases where the reduction is substantial; notes that the Bureau further introduced the possibility of a voluntary and definitive withdrawal from the voluntary pension scheme in the form of a one-off final lump sum;