On discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Union Agency for Railways for the financial year 2022
TRAN-AD-753751
Committee on Transport and Tourism · Rapporteur: Vlad Gheorghe
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The Committee on Transport and Tourism gives its opinion on discharge for the European Union Agency for Railways' 2022 budget. It welcomes the Court of Auditors' finding that the accounts are legal and regular, notes budget and performance figures, and proposes that Parliament grant discharge to the Agency's Executive Director.¶¶¶ It asks the Commission to fix fragmented reporting on railway safety accidents and to provide funding, calls for a budget increase for the Agency, and urges more gender balance in its staff.¶¶¶
Committee position. The Committee on Transport and Tourism proposes that Parliament grant discharge to the Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Railways for the 2022 financial year, and asks the Committee on Budgetary Control to incorporate its suggestions into its motion for a resolution.¶¶
Key points
- Welcomes the Court of Auditors' finding that the Agency's 2022 accounts are legal and regular, and notes 28 nonconformities registered in 2022, a decline from previous years.¶
- Notes the final 2022 budget of EUR 34.98 million, later amended to EUR 33.9 million due to lower fees and charges, and a 99.95% commitment implementation rate.¶
- Notes that of 207 key performance indicators, 167 were achieved, 19 partially achieved, 11 not achieved, 8 not assessable and 2 postponed.¶
- Notes the 2022 budget outturn of EUR 81 821, up from EUR 69 638 in 2021.¶
- Welcomes the Railway Package Steering Group's continued work on the Agency's preparedness for the 4th Railway Package, and the Agency's initiatives to boost rail traffic and develop technologies such as train automation.¶¶
- Acknowledges the Agency's record delivery of authorisations for 1861 railway vehicles, 66 single safety certificates and 2 ERTMS trackside approvals, and recalls the importance of completing ERTMS by 2030.¶
- Welcomes the report on EU railway safety and interoperability and the Agency's work on reducing national rules and maturing technical specifications for interoperability.¶
- Regrets fragmented reporting on railway safety accidents and incidents across Europe and calls on the Commission to address the gap and provide necessary funding.¶
- Stresses the role of railways since Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, including transport of people and goods, and the Agency's contribution to EU cooperation with Ukraine on rail links and food transport.¶
- Notes that EU candidate countries will implement the EU acquis, allowing rail transport from/to South-Eastern Europe, and stresses the IPA and Western Balkan Project's role in implementing the Interoperability and Safety Directives.¶
- Welcomes the EUMedRail project promoting regional cooperation with Southern Mediterranean partners on interoperability, safety and ERTMS.¶
- Commends the Agency's efficiency and digitalisation, but calls for a budget increase, welcomes the rise in permanent agents to 154, and urges intensified commitment to gender balance given the 2022 gender audit.¶¶¶
Who is affected
- European Union Agency for Railways: its 2022 budget implementation is assessed and discharge is proposed.¶¶
- European Commission: asked to address fragmented railway safety reporting and provide funding.¶
- EU candidate countries and Western Balkans: noted as future implementers of the EU acquis, enabling rail connections.¶
- Southern Mediterranean partners: involved in the EUMedRail project on interoperability and safety.¶
Figures and deadlines
- 28 nonconformities registered in 2022¶
- final annual budget for 2022 estimated at EUR 34.98 million (EUR 26.28 million from EU subsidy, EUR 8 million from fees and charges)¶
- implementation rate was 99.95% in commitments
- final budget was EUR 33.9 million
- out of the 207 key performance indicators, 167 were achieved, 19 partially achieved, 11 not achieved, 8 not possible to assess and 2 postponed¶
- budget outturn in 2022 was EUR 81 821, up from EUR 69 638 in 2021¶
- 1861 railway vehicles, 66 single safety certificates, 2 ERTMS trackside approvals¶
- ceiling of permanent agents increased to 154 individuals, compared to 151 agents in 2021; staff distribution 65% men and 35% women¶