Eurocontrol
12.4.2023
Question for written answer E-001178/2023
to the Council
Rule 138
Ciarán Cuffe (Verts/ALE)
Following reports[1]from November 2022 that the airline Ryanair was given special treatment at Eurocontrol, it was reported on 28 March 2023 that Eamonn Brennan, the body’s Director General until December 2022, has joined Ryanair’s board as a non-executive director. This is less than three months after he left Eurocontrol. Such a move from a public body to a private company whose operations are directly affected by the activities of Eurocontrol raises concerns about conflicts of interest. While Eurocontrol is not an EU body, it works very closely with the EU and supports its activities in the field of aviation. Were it an EU body, such a move would contravene revolving door rules and the required cooling-off period set within its institutions.
- 1.In the light of the above, does the Council have any concerns over Mr Brennan’s move to Ryanair?
- 2.Do the Member States intend to seek a review the body’s statutes to ensure that rules on integrity and transparency, particularly as regards revolving doors and conflicts of interest, are followed?
Submitted: 12.4.2023
- [1] https://www.euractiv.com/section/aviation/news/europes-air-traffic-agency-accused-of-giving-ryanair-special-treatment/