Plaid Cymru Euro-MP and Deputy Leader Jill Evans MEP is backing a motion before the European Parliament to censure the European Commission. Euro-MPs are scheduled to debate the motion at tomorrow's (Wednesday) Parliament session in Brussels.

The move will force the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso to come before Parliament to explain his conduct in relation to declarations of hospitality. Many Euro-MPs are unhappy that Commissioners are not required to declare hospitality they receive.

The issue has been brought back into the news after claims that the EU Commission President was a guest of a Greek shipping tycoon for a cruise holiday. Media reports have stated that one of the Greek ship owner's companies later received the European Commission's approval for a state aid package worth several million Euros.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's debate, Ms Evans said:

"If Mr Barroso says there's no impropriety here, then I'll take his word for it. But this censure motion is not about Mr Barroso's good name, it's about the reputation of the European Commission itself.

"The image and reputation of the EU Commission isn't helped by the lack of transparency and openness in the way it handles its financial affairs.

"My particular concern is the lack of a fully public register of interests for EU Commissioners where hospitality received could and should be declared."

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