, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Thank you very much for that response. It's very positive indeed, because it has been disappointing, in the discussions that have taken place on Government budgets, to hear some Ministers, and perhaps the new First Minister, talking about difficult choices…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
5. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the economic size and impact of Wales's cultural, arts and heritage sectors? OQ61021
, Plenary
Group 11: Referendum on the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 (Amendments 37, 38)
I said that your comments made it into a pantomime. I did not call this Senedd, which I hold in very high regard, a pantomime; I would never do so.
, Plenary
Group 11: Referendum on the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 (Amendments 37, 38)
We have to look at the substance of the amendments in the group. As I said, over 63 per cent of the total votes cast during the last election to this Senedd went to parties that had specific manifesto commitments to reform this Senedd. It's also worth noting…
, Plenary
Group 11: Referendum on the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 (Amendments 37, 38)
That's your social media clip sorted, then. It's really disappointing to see democracy turned into a pantomime. I don't want you to be threatening things or saying, well, things that aren't truthful or based on fact, as we heard from my colleague, Adam Price…
, Plenary
Group 9: Senedd constituency boundary reviews: matters the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru may take into account (Amendments 22, 28)
I'm very pleased to see these amendments appear before us. As the Counsel General has said, there was a strong feeling in the committee and among the witnesses, and this confirms that the use of the Welsh language will be a factor that the Democracy and…
, Plenary
Group 7: Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru: appointment and disqualification of members, chief executive and assistant commissioners (Amendments 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
We're very pleased that these amendments address the concerns raised during Stage 2 about the need for a more comprehensive definition of the kinds of individuals who should be disqualified from being a member of the boundary commission. As we pointed out at…
, Plenary
Group 6: Recall of Members of the Senedd (Amendments 40, 42)
I'm very pleased to hear that contribution from Vikki Howells on behalf of the committee. I think that we do all agree that we need some sort of recall system. It is something that is sensible and something that has cross-party support in the Senedd. But, as…
, Plenary
Group 4: Voting system at Senedd general elections and allocation of seats (Amendments 32, 33, 34, 39, 35, 36)
I am surprised to hear Darren Millar say that he doesn't know why Plaid Cymru is voting like this, because I don't think it's been a secret at all as to Plaid Cymru's view on this issue, and I would hope that, during every stage of this process, I have been…
, Plenary
Group 2: Senedd constituency boundary reviews: publications and implementation (Amendments 1, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31)
Given that this is my first contribution today, as part of today's debate, I'd like to note my thanks to everyone who has worked hard in advising me through this process and also, of course, the clerks and my fellow Members on the reform committee. Next week…
, Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
Trefnydd, I'd like to ask for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for economy. I'm sure you will have seen the news in terms of the 100 jobs that are at stake in Rhondda Cynon Taf in light of the news about Everest Windows. Many Members, of course, will…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
I thank Buffy Williams for asking this question. I should state that I'm a member of the friends of the Rhondda tunnel, and not just because they put me underground. And I have to say, it's not the Mabon ap Gwynfor festival that will be held in the Rhondda…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Senedd Women's Caucus
Thank you very much.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Senedd Women's Caucus
Thank you. Can I ask you what the risk might be if we don't introduce something that would mean there is a gender-balanced Parliament, if we leave it to chance, as some are perhaps suggesting? Sioned.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Senedd Women's Caucus
Thank you very much. I don't want to ask questions that you've already pursued. But could I ask your views—I know that there isn't a consistent view, but there is perhaps a majority view—in terms of the quota system? Do you see it as something that should be…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Senedd Women's Caucus
Can I ask what analysis you have made on the evidence regarding quotas? You've obviously said that you've looked at the Llywydd's advice. Obviously, WEN Wales have provided alternative advice, so we've got advice on both sides. But you mention in terms of…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Women's Rights Network
No more from me.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Women's Rights Network
Yes, and, obviously, we're considering the whole breadth of evidence and have been presented with evidence to look at in the main there. Are there any additional comments you'd like to make in terms of the capacity of the Bill to increase the representation…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Women's Rights Network
Do you feel there's any kind of legislation that we should be introducing to support everything that you've outlined that I'd hope everyone agrees that we need to enable everyone to be able to participate in our democracy? So, is there anything specific…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Women's Rights Network
Sorry, can I just pick up on that point? So, you think that actually just asking political parties to do more would be sufficient.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Women's Rights Network
Thank you very much. I will be asking my questions in Welsh. In looking at diversity and inclusion, and following on from Catherine's final point, perhaps, do you therefore believe that there is no need for any kind of mechanism in order to get more women and…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Women's Rights Network
But if I may, sorry, the evidence there is on men-dominated parliaments, and your evidence, obviously, points to the fact that we have achieved 50:50 in the past here and, in terms of representation, 43 versus 57 now. I'm just keen to delve to understand…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Women's Rights Network
Yes, on this point, if I may. Can I just ask—? Thank you for giving evidence today as well. In your papers that you've submitted, you've talked about the unintended consequences. One of the comments made was in paragraph 29: 'Most women (like most men) want…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with Diverse5050
No. Okay. I'm happy to move on. Diolch.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with Diverse5050
Diolch. Does anybody else wish to add? I see some nodding on the screen.
