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Discharge 2022: European Union Agency for Railways

TA-9-2024-0253 · P9_TA(2024)0253 · PE753.528

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 25 Sept 2026

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Parliament grants the Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Railways discharge for the 2022 budget and approves the closure of the Agency's 2022 accounts. In a resolution, Parliament sets out observations on the Agency's budget and financial management, performance, efficiency, staff policy, procurement, conflicts of interest, internal control and other matters. It notes the Court of Auditors' reasonable assurance that the accounts are reliable and the transactions legal and regular, and calls on the Agency to address the Court's observations in full. It calls for a budget increase for the Agency, more support for rail freight and intermodal innovation, and action by the Commission on fragmented reporting of railway safety accidents.

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 the 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 reached 99,95 % of current year appropriations and 94,97 % of payment appropriations; the budget outturn was EUR 81 821.
  5. Parliament notes shortcomings in the Agency's implementation of the new SUMMA system, late payments (12,2 % more than 30 days late) and delayed invoices, and calls on the Agency to address the Court's observations in full.
  6. Parliament calls for a budget increase for the Agency, the smallest-budgeted transport agency, to give it essential resources to act as an efficient authority.
  7. The Agency reported 81,13 % achievement of its 2022 annual work programme, up from 76,41 % in 2021, with some KPIs not achieved.
  8. Parliament commends the Agency's 2022 achievements, including the Strengthening Action Plan 2023-2027, 1861 vehicle authorisations, 66 single safety certificates and safety training on Just Culture.
  9. Parliament stresses continued support for Technical Specifications for Interoperability and more support for innovation in rail freight and intermodal transport.
  10. Parliament notes the Agency's contribution to EU cooperation with Ukraine on rail links and the transport of Ukrainian food products by rail.
  11. Parliament notes the Agency received 12 additional temporary agents in 2022 without a corresponding subsidy allocation, and that gender balance in senior management remains lacking, with 8 of 10 being men.
  12. Parliament notes shortcomings in the Agency's management and control systems, including lack of a policy for classifying sensitive information and non-valid approval methods, and calls on the Court to follow up.

Who is affected

  • The European Union Agency for Railways: receives discharge for its 2022 budget and must address Parliament's observations.
  • The Agency's Executive Director: is granted discharge and receives the decision and resolution.
  • The Commission: is called on to address the gap in reporting railway safety accidents and incidents and provide funding.
  • National Safety Authorities: their late statements of cost contribute to the Agency's delayed invoices.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 34 814 691: the Agency's final budget for the 2022 financial year.
  • 9,38 %: increase in the Agency's 2022 budget compared to 2021.
  • 99,95 %: budget implementation rate of current year appropriations in 2022.
  • 94,97 %: current year payment appropriations execution rate in 2022.
  • EUR 81 821: the Agency's budget outturn in 2022.
  • 12,2 %: share of payments late by more than 30 days in 2022.
  • 81,13 %: achievement of the Agency's 2022 annual work programme.
  • 1861 vehicle authorisations and 66 single safety certificates delivered in 2022.

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