erning instances of maladministration in the activities of the
Community institutions or bodies, with the exception of the Court of
Justice and the Court of First Instance acting in their judicial role.
In accordance with his duties, the Ombudsman shall conduct inquiries
for which he finds grounds, either on his own initiative or on the basis
of complaints submitted to him direct or through a member of the
European Parliament, except where the alleged facts are or have been
the subject of legal proceedings. Where the Ombudsman establishes
an instance of maladministration, he shall refer the matter to the
institution concerned, which shall have a period of three months in
which to inform him of its views. The Ombudsman shall then forward a
report to the European Parliament and the institution concerned. The
person lodging the complaint shall be informed of the outcome of such
inquiries.
The Ombudsman shall submit an annual report to the European
Parliament on the outcome of his inquiries.
2. The Ombudsman shall be appointed after each election of the
European Parliament for the duration of its term of office. The
Ombudsman shall be eligible for reappointment.
The Ombudsman may be dismissed by the Court of Justice at the
request at the request of the European Parliament if he no longer
fulfils the conditions required for the performance of this duties or if he
is guilty of serious misconduct.
3. The Ombudsman shall be completely independent in the
performance of his duties. In the performance of those duties he shall
seek nor take instructions from any body. The Ombudsman may not,
during his term of office, engage in any other occupation, whether
gainful or not.
4. The European Parliament shall, after seeking an opinion from the
Commission and with the approval of the Council acting by a qualified
majority, lay down the regulations and general conditions governing
the Ombudsman's duties."
42) The second subparagraph of Article 144 shall be supplemented by
the following sentence:
"In this case, the term of office of the members of the Commission
appointed to replace them shall expire on the date which the term of
office of the members of the Commission obliged to resign as a body
would have expired."
43) The following Article shall be inserted:
"ARTICLE 146
The Council shall consist of a representative of each Member State at
ministerial level, authorized to commit the government of that Member
State.
The office of P