by
N. Peter Kramer
The Commission may decide to use the experts’ input when preparing legislative proposals or policy initiatives, as well in relation to the implementation of legislation, programmes and policies or the preparation of delegated acts. This advisory practice takes place outside the view of the European Parliament, the European Council and… the public. It is completely at the behest of the Commission’s eurocracy.There is no democratic supervision at all.
Disclosure of the expert groups plus registration of the members of these groups? Nothing like that exists. It is a public secret in ‘Brussels’ that in the different groups representatives of industry are overrepresented, to promote their interests and to influence the result of the deliberations. Often with predictable success!
The European Ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly, opened a strategic inquiry into the composition of expert groups in May 2014. She drew on the results of a subsequent public consultation to make a series of initial proposals to the Commission. The recommendations published last week seek to address the transparency concerns when it comes to public scrutiny of expert groups.
Ms O’Reilly stated that ‘… citizens have a right to know fully how expert advice feeds into EU decision-making. This entails knowing what input has been given and by whom, whether by national representatives, industry, civil society or others. Making this kind of information public will help ensure expert groups are viewed as legitimate’.
The Ombudsman has asked the Commission to explain by 30 April of this year how it intends to address her recommendations. Let’s wait and see…
