Clare Daly (The Left). – Madam President, I voted in favour of this resolution because I think the public’s access to documents really plays a crucial role in ensuring that EU institutions operate transparently. It is absolutely critical for investigative media, for interest groups, for civil society or for individual citizens.
And let’s be honest, the Ombudsman’s special report reveals significant and systemic delays in access to Commission documents. In 85% of the cases, the Commission failed to take a decision within the legal deadline. This amounts to maladministration, it is absolutely outrageous and it shows total contempt for the citizens of Europe.
Emily O’Reilly has said that the institutions are still struggling to adapt their registration and disclosure obligations to the realities of modern communication tools. Obviously, she means Ursula von der Leyen hasn’t copped on that she’s supposed to keep text messages and so on. I was delighted to see the amendment pass that reminded the Commission that Ϸվ can institute infringement proceedings in this area.