As regards the alleged lack of sufficient human resources, the Ombudsman considers that, in accordance with the principles of good administration, the EU institutions have the duty to ensure that they provide their various services with sufficient resources to fulfil the tasks which have been entrusted to them. Thus, if it was established that the long time it took the EIB to finalise its assessment of the complaint was due not only to the complexity of the issues raised or the need to engage in a dialogue with a number of stakeholders, but mainly to a lack of sufficient resources in the relevant service, this could constitute an instance of maladministration.