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The European Anti-Fraud Office, known as Olaf (from the French 'Office européen de lutte anti-fraude'), is to be put under a degree of political scrutiny after repeatedly coming under attack for its priorities in choosing its investigations.
The European Commissioner for Administrative Affairs, Audit and Anti-Fraud, Siim Kallas, is tabling new proposals to boost Olaf’s performance and to enable EU institutions to set general priorities.
An internal review adviser will be appointed to monitor procedural rights in individual cases and a representative from each of the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Presidency of the European Council will be given a say in establishing priorities, though they will have no say in individual investigations.
Rules will also be established to set a 12-month target for the completion of Olaf investigations to shorten the length of time it takes to conclude investigations, which currently take on average 23 months to complete.
25 May 2006
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