, Plenary
Debate on the General Principles of the Residential Outdoor Education (Wales) Bill
May I start by thanking Sam Rowlands for all of his hard work on this Bill? I’ve had the pleasure of being on the Children, Young People and Education Committee scrutinising this Bill. I’ve asked a number of questions of Sam and we’ve had a number of very…
, Plenary
Motion to appoint a Member to the Senedd Commission
Formally.
, Plenary
Motion to elect a Member to a committee
Formally.
, Plenary
Topical Questions
Thank you very much, Cabinet Secretary, and first of all, may I congratulate you on your appointment and say how pleased I am to see culture elevated within Government, and welcome now how it's connected to social justice? I very much hope that we can work…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
1. What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of National Museum Wales possibly closing National Museum Cardiff due to deteriorating conditions? TQ1039
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with electoral administrators
Thank you, Colin. Evidently, there will be a need for additional training, I would assume, with returning officers and NNCOs, in order to discharge the functions set out in the Bill. I would think that that will take some time as well. Yes. Thank you. That's…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with electoral administrators
Thank you very much. I'm not sure whether anybody else wants to come in. No. Could I ask you—?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with electoral administrators
If I could just move on to talk about the role in terms of raising public awareness and their understanding of the Bill's provisions, could you outline the role the Electoral Commission will have initially? Maybe others will want to come in as well.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with electoral administrators
That’s really helpful. Thank you.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with electoral administrators
Diolch. I can see that Colin wants to come in.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with electoral administrators
Thank you. I know, as a candidate in the past, of the training that you provide, but, certainly, there will be more candidates than we've ever seen before, so there will be a lot of work that will need to be done in terms of those sessions.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with electoral administrators
Thank you very much. My question is to the Electoral Commission. You've already mentioned some of the work that you've been doing with electoral administrators and political parties, but what further guidance do you think you'll need to issue for candidates…
, Plenary
Short Debate: A national plan for flood resilience
I'm really pleased to contribute, just briefly. The Minister will know that this is an issue I feel passionately about as well. I really do think you're right: it is a national problem; it's not just for those communities that are at risk. And I would also…
, Plenary
Short Debate: A national plan for flood resilience
Thank you, Carolyn, for bringing this debate forward today.
, Plenary
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): National collections
It would have been nice if you'd spoken so much about culture over the past three years. We've asked time and time again for you to make oral statements and answer questions, and yet you haven't. So, I will have this opportunity to finish this debate and ask…
, Plenary
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): National collections
No, it's not a matter of the NHS or culture. These aren't choices. It's like those questionnaires that ask, 'Do you want to have your bins emptied, or would you like a museum?' Those are not choices. We should be prioritising the richness of our culture and…
, Plenary
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): National collections
Culture sits within the economy portfolio. You would've thought that being in that portfolio, you would've been able to realise its economic potential—to understand, for every pound spent, how much you get back. But that hasn't been happening. So, you're…
, Plenary
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): National collections
It's about choices. Because also, I don't think—
, Plenary
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): National collections
You wouldn't when you were speaking, so, no. I think we do need to consider seriously the damage being done to our institutions, which is immeasurable. But it is not too late for this Government to take action. You mentioned the cultural strategy, and yes…
, Plenary
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): National collections
But, before then, where was the focus on our cultural institutions? These old buildings haven't just suddenly become in need of repair. We do need to reflect, also, on other Governments. We understand that this financial settlement has been difficult—of…
, Plenary
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): National collections
Diolch yn fawr iawn. I don't know where to start on my response, because I found that very overdefensive, perhaps, as a response. Deputy Minister, you mentioned that you were about to publish a written statement; I've been asking for that written statement—…
, Plenary
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): National collections
Would you take an intervention?
, Plenary
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): National collections
Our culture and our heritage matter. They aren't something nice to have when times are good; they are a vital part of our nation. I look forward to today's debate and hearing the contributions, but I also hope we will find solutions to help these vital…
, Plenary
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): National collections
And before I conclude my opening remarks to this debate, I would also like to express my concern about the suggestion made by the Deputy Minister that the policy of free entry to our national museums should end. Could I urge you to look at the evidence and…
, Plenary
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): National collections
Take, for example, Andrew Green, the former chief librarian of the National Library of Wales, who wrote an excellent article on his blog in January of this year that bore the title ‘Why is the Welsh Government at war with culture?’ He expertly outlined not…
