OLAF the hopeful

OLAF Director General, Mr. Franz-Hermann Bruener has announced a major re-organisation of the EU’s independent anti-fraud office in an effort to improve its internal working methods in advance of a major staff increase. The number of special agents is scheduled to rise from 160 to 330 people by the end of 2001 . Other notable developments include: the relocation of OLAF’s headquarters to larger more secure premises in the EU quarter of Brussels; two new directorates have been created, one for policy, legislation and legal affairs and the other for investigations and operations; the intelligence unit – which will now report directly to the Director General – has been assigned to work on operational strategy and secure member state support; two new units have been created, one is responsible for administration, human resources and the budget while the other looks after communication, public relations and training co-ordination. Commenting on the changes, Mr. Bruener said: “It is only the first step and a great deal of organisational work awaits OLAF in the future months, but with a new administration structure in new headquarters and with extra resources available, OLAF will do its best to counter the criminals, fraudsters and corruption.”