Ombudsman: Citizens need to know more about expert groups’ advice to Commission

The European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, welcomed in February 2016 the progress made so far during her inquiry but has asked the European Commission further to improve the transparency of its 800 plus expert groups by publishing comprehensive minutes of their meetings.

The Ombudsman's strategic inquiry concluded that the Commission should publish meeting agendas and background documents in advance, while minutes should normally include the positions expressed by group members and be published in a timely manner. This will enable citizens to see more clearly how expert advice feeds into EU policy-making. An expert group's deliberations may be kept confidential but only if objectively justified.

• Prif ffynhonnell

ESO: Background information: Ombudsman: How to make the Commission's expert groups more balanced and transparent http://www.europeansources.info/record/ombudsman-how-to-make-the-commissions-expert-groups-more-balanced-and-transparent/

EurActiv, 02.02.16: Publish minutes of expert meetings, Ombudsman tells Commission http://www.euractiv.com/sections/science-policymaking/publish-minutes-expert-meetings-ombudsman-tells-commission-321495

EUObserver, 02.02.16: Ombudsman demands greater expert group transparency https://euobserver.com/justice/132102

Politico, 02.02.16: EU watchdog takes on Commission over ‘expert’ groups http://www.politico.eu/article/eu-watchdog-takes-on-commission-over-expert-groups-ombudsman/

ESO: Find further information on this topic http://www.europeansources.info/advSearchLink?keyword=European%20Commission%20expert%20groups%20&searchOption=all

---