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REPORT (2023/2160(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Union Agency for Railways for the financial year 2022

A-9-2024-0092

Committee on Budgetary Control · Rapporteur: Petri Sarvamaa

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Parliament's committee report proposes granting the Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Railways discharge for the 2022 budget and approving the closure of the Agency's 2022 accounts. It sets out observations on the Agency's budget and financial management, performance, efficiency, staff policy, procurement, conflicts of interest, transparency and internal control. The report notes the Court of Auditors found the Agency's annual accounts reliable and the underlying transactions legal and regular. It calls on the Agency to address the Court's observations in full, report on progress, and take further action on gender balance, conflicts of interest and internal control.

Committee position. The Committee on Budgetary Control proposes that Parliament grant discharge to the Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Railways for the 2022 budget and approve the closure of the Agency's 2022 accounts, while setting out observations in an accompanying resolution.

Key points

  1. Parliament grants the Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Railways discharge for the implementation of the Agency's 2022 budget and approves the closure of its 2022 accounts.
  2. The Agency's final 2022 budget was EUR 34 814 691, an increase of 9,38 % compared to 2021, and derives mainly from the Union budget.
  3. The Court of Auditors obtained reasonable assurance that the Agency's annual accounts are reliable and the underlying transactions legal and regular.
  4. Budget implementation of current year appropriations was 99,95 % and payment appropriations execution was 94,97 %; the budget outturn was EUR 81 821.
  5. The report notes Court observations on the new SUMMA system, late payments (12,2 % more than 30 days late) and delayed invoices, and calls on the Agency to address them and keep the discharge authority informed.
  6. The Agency reported 81,13 % achievement of its 2022 annual work programme, adopted a new strategic statement-based structure, and delivered achievements including 1861 vehicle authorisations and 66 single safety certificates.
  7. The report stresses support for Technical Specifications for Interoperability, innovation in rail freight and intermodal transport, and welcomes the report on EU railway safety and interoperability.
  8. The report notes the Agency's response to the war in Ukraine, including support for rail links and increased transport of Ukrainian food products by rail.
  9. The Agency adopted the Strengthening Plan and Strengthening Action Plan 2023-27, received 12 additional temporary agents in 2022, and concluded a Memorandum of Cooperation with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
  10. The report notes the Agency's first Environment management strategy, digitalisation efforts including SYSPER and SUMMA, and measures to reduce costs in Lille.
  11. On staff, the establishment plan was 97,40 % executed with 150 temporary agents; the report notes lack of gender balance in senior management (8 of 10 men) and calls for improvement.
  12. The report notes shortcomings in internal control, a decrease in nonconformities from 35 to 28, the closure of an OLAF investigation with no findings, and calls on the Commission to address fragmented railway safety accident reporting.

Who is affected

  • The European Union Agency for Railways: is granted discharge for its 2022 budget and has its 2022 accounts closed.
  • The Agency's Executive Director: receives the discharge decision and must report on progress on Court observations.
  • The Agency's staff and management: are subject to observations on gender balance, conflicts of interest and internal control.
  • The Commission: is called on to address fragmented railway safety accident reporting and provide funding.
  • National Safety Authorities: are noted as submitting statements of cost late, causing delays.

Figures and deadlines

  • Final budget for 2022: EUR 34 814 691, an increase of 9,38 % compared to 2021.
  • Budget implementation rate of current year appropriations: 99,95 %, an increase of 0,13 % compared to 2021.
  • Current year payment appropriations execution rate: 94,97 %, an increase of 1,43 % compared to 2021.
  • Budget outturn in 2022: EUR 81 821, up from EUR 69 638 in 2021.
  • 12,2 % of payments were late by more than 30 days in 2022.
  • Achievement of 2022 annual work programme: 81,13 %, compared to 76,41 % in 2021.
  • Vehicle authorisations: 1861; single safety certificates: 66.
  • Establishment plan executed at 97,40 %: 150 temporary agents out of 154 authorised.

Legal basis: Article 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.