Translation of "Prima facie evidence an irregularity " (English → French) :

Experience has shown that it is already very difficult for States, even those that are familiar with our rules of evidence, to comply with the prima facie evidence criterion through statements taken under oath in the first person and without hearsay.

Once accepted by the authorising officer by delegation, such reports shall become binding and shall not be subject to ex-post audits or evaluation unless there is new prima facie evidence of irregularities or fraud.

4. Recalls the EESC's assurance given in 2004 that there had been no further irregularities whatsoever with regard to the payment of its Members' travel expenses ; points out that the Court of Auditors nevertheless referred in its annual report on the 2003 financial year, published in November 2004, to three cases in which the travel allowance paid to Members was twice the amount set out in the Committee's own rules; notes that the Belgian prosecution service has opened a formal investigation based on a finding by OLAF of strong prima facie ...[+++] evidence that up to EUR 45 000 in expenses was wrongfully claimed by an EESC Member over a six-year period; is aware that the EESC voted to lift the immunity of the Member concerned and that a judgment of the competent Belgian court is expected before the end of 2006;

4. Recalls the EESC's assurance given in 2004 that there had been no further irregularities whatsoever with regard to the payment of its Members' travel expenses ; points out that the Court of Auditors nevertheless referred in its annual report on the 2003 financial year, published in November 2004, to three cases in which the travel allowance paid to Members was twice the amount set out in the Committee's own rules; notes that the Belgian prosecution service has opened a formal investigation based on a finding by OLAF of strong prima facie ...[+++] evidence that up to EUR 45 000 in expenses was wrongfully claimed by an EESC Member over a six-year period; is aware that the EESC voted to lift the immunity of the Member concerned and that a judgment of the competent Belgian court is expected before the end of 2006;

4. Recalls the EESC's assurance given in 2004 that there had been no further irregularities whatever with regard to the payment of its Members' travel expenses; points out that the Court of Auditors nevertheless referred in its annual report on the 2003 financial year, published in November 2004, to three cases in which the travel allowance paid to EESC Members was twice the amount set out in the Committee's own rules; notes that the Belgian prosecution service has opened a formal investigation based on a finding by OLAF of strong prima facie ...[+++] evidence that up to EUR 45 000 in expenses had been wrongfully claimed by an EESC Member over a six-year period; is aware that the EESC voted to lift the immunity of the Member concerned and that a judgment of the competent Belgian court is expected before the end of 2006;

My group believes the Commission should check if prima facie evidence and circumstantial evidence can also be taken into account at all levels at which evidence is taken.