Follow Us

Follow us on Twitter  Follow us on LinkedIn
 

20 January 2012

ECON Committee: Consideration of draft report on the quality management for European Statistics


Default: Change to:


MEP Scicluna remarked that the Greek situation had triggered awareness within the EU of the quality of statistics, adding that many of the shortcomings identified were also reflected in the accounting systems of other states that were trying to show their situation in a more positive light.


Mr Edward Scicluna highlighted the relevance of statistics for scoreboard indicators and for the Europe 2020 strategy, and stressed the need to ensure that Member States provided reliable, independently collected and published data. He explained that the present resolution was intended to ensure that national statistical institutions were truly independent; that data were audited both internally and externally, that governments supplied accurate data, that the European Statistical Governance Advisory Board (ESGAB) carried out independent supervision of EUROSTAT and of the European statistical system, that EUROSTAT activities and recruitment procedures became more transparent, and that coordination between EUROSTAT and national bodies became more efficient.

In the subsequent discussion, Mr Gauzès (EPP, FR) indicated that all Member States should be able to provide reliable statistics following the European model, regardless of their size.

Ms in't Veld (ALDE, NL), on behalf of Ms Bowles (ALDE, UK), welcomed the introduction of more binding rules and recommended further steps to boost the status of EUROSTAT, its institutional independence and the autonomy of national statistical agencies. She suggested making a clear distinction between statistics and the auditing of public finance, and asked if the report should include the role of national courts of auditors and the European court of auditors and their involvement in auditing national books.

Ms Petikäinen (EPP, FI) welcomed EUROSTAT's proposal to revise the legal status of the statistical code, and endorsed the idea of changing EUROSTAT’s legal status. She highlighted the need to harmonise the statistical code and improve the quality of statistics, both at Member State and at EU level. She stressed the necessity of creating firewalls around economic statistics and ensuring the transmission of reliable data by EUROSTAT to the European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB).

Mr Canfin (Greens/EFA, DE), on behalf of Mr Giegold (Greens/EFA, DE), proposed making statistics available at a faster pace and simplifying access to data on the EUROSTAT site. He also recommended including data on public-private partnerships in the statistics.   

Ms Ford (ECR, UK) warned that producing statistics at a faster pace could endanger accuracy, and stated that she would sooner strengthen the position of national courts of auditors than boost the role of the European Court of Auditors.

Finally, Mr Chountis (GUE/NGL, EL) questioned EUROSTAT's independence and the objectivity of statistics in general.

Next steps:

  • Deadline for amendments: 19 January 2012.
  • Consideration of amendments: 6 February 2012.
  • Vote in ECON: 6 February 2012.
  • Vote in Plenary: March 2012.                                                                   

Draft report

EC communication on the quality management for European Statistics



© European Parliament


< Next Previous >
Key
 Hover over the blue highlighted text to view the acronym meaning
Hover over these icons for more information



Add new comment