Brussels, 03/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - Most of those who attended the conference at the European Parliament on the transparency register, in Brussels on Monday 2 May, supported the plans of the European Commission to make it compulsory for lobbyists bringing influence to bear on European decisions to sign up to the register (see EUROPE 11544). They were divided over other issues, such as the quality of the data requested, extending the register to other persons or entities and updating the register.
The Vice-President of the Commission, Frans Timmermans, said that the best way to proceed would be an inter-institutional agreement between the three institutions on the transparency register. He wishes to set sanctions in place for lobbyists who fail to comply with the rules of the transparency register. If it is through legislation “there is a risk that we won't get what we want, or at least not in the first half of the century”, Timmermans joked. However, if the inter-institutional agreement works well, we will be able to put forward a case that legislation could prove to be an effective instrument.
As regards the local and regional authorities “we are looking very closely at questions regarding them. I want change. In some cases, the local and regional authorities have different competences within the member states that have to be taken into account”.
When it comes to Commission civil servants, Timmermans does not want them all to have to declare their meetings with interest groups.
The deputy President of the European Parliament, Sylvie Guillaume, stressed that there was a link between the question of trust and the question of transparency. She voiced her hopes that the public consultation would “complete a number of stages”. There is a question as to whether the local authorities would have to be on the register. The French Socialist said that the quantity and quality of data were often called into question, even though this, she feels, is an important element. She acknowledged that it would also be difficult to agree on the legislative footprint. She called for a more dynamic update of the register.
The Dutch Presidency of the Council said that the Council was a “very different animal from the other institutions. It's even harder to reach an inter-institutional agreement, particularly when there are sanctions in the mix”. There is also the matter of the permanent representations of the member states to the EU. “As these are part of the national governments, they are covered by the national legislations. We will have to see whether or not the permanent representations should be included”, the Dutch Presidency said.
Jo Leinen (S&D, Germany) chaired a panel on the requirements called for by the register. He said that the association Alter UE had flagged up gaps in the current register (including the fact that it should be updated at least twice a year, rather than just once as is currently the case). A number of those who took the floor questioned the added value in calling for even more detailed data.
The organisation Transparency International suggested that representatives of lobbyists should not be allowed to enter the EP unless they were either registered or had undergone cheques.
The question was raised as to whether the heads of unit at the Commission should be obliged to publish their meetings of interest groups. Investigations into complaints represent an enormous task which could possibly call for extra staff, experts stressed.
Sven Giegold (Greens/EFA, Germany) chaired a panel on national experiences. According to his findings, top of the table on transparency for lobbyists are Canada and the United States. At EU level, the most exemplary countries are Ireland, Slovenia and Lithuania - small countries. The larger countries, he said, have nothing to be proud of. The United Kingdom has a limited definition of lobbyists and France is making progress with a new draft law on the table. “In Italy, Germany and Spain, there is practically nothing”, Giegold said. (Original in French by Lionel Changeur)