"In nearly 70% of cases, the Mediator could help the applicant by opening an investigation, referring the report to a body having jurisdiction on the case, or providing advice about the places to be contacted for a timely, effective solution to the problem". The 2006 Report of the EU Ombudsman Ue states that, "during the year, 258 investigations were opened following a report. In addition, the Mediator opened nine investigations of its own accord. In 2006, the overall number of investigations was 582". Like the previous years, most investigations, i.e. 387 (66% of the total), concerned the European Commission. "This is understandable explains Nikiforos Diamandouros if you think that the decisions of the European Commission have a direct impact on the citizens". In addition, 74 investigations (13% of the total) were conducted in connection with the European Staff Selection Department (Epso), 49 (8%) with the European Parliament, and 11 (2%) with the EU Council". The cases of alleged bad government "can be grouped into several groups: lack of transparency and refusal to provide information (25% of cases), unfairness or abuse of power (19%), procedural deficiencies, avoidable delays, discrimination, negligence".
