Abstract:This paper details the results of a Masters project investigating attitudes amongst decision-makers in the European Parliament to the role of information in their work, and their ability to identify, access and evaluate that information most relevant to their needs. The main aims of the research were to elicit data regarding levels of satisfaction amongst MEPs in relation to information retrieval, and to identify areas of information need which were not being addressed. The research methodology consisted of a postal survey of United Kingdom MEPs, achieving a 34% response rate. The results included: the wide range of subjects that are of interest to MEPs; that all MEPs have research assistants to help in their work, with an average of 3.5 assistants per MEP; the majority of these assistants are based in the UK and are employed full-time; and that the most popular sources were unofficial, informal contacts and MEPs own files, as opposed to the official European Union databases and services. The main problems faced by MEPs in information retrieval are pressure of time and the overwhelming number and variety of information sources available. Recommendations are made for further research into the information needs of MEPs and information management practices within the European Union.