, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Knowing what you know now, do you regret not taking more public action sooner?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
But informally—.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Diolch. If I can return back to Tonia Antoniazzi's letter specifically, you reference there in terms of that there was—that she alluded to people with experiences and women with experiences. Were you ever offered the opportunity to discuss with these women?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
If I may, you've referenced that Tonia Antoniazzi talked about Amanda Blanc in her letter to you. Amanda Blanc did go on public record in June 2022, so in terms of verifying or substantiating the claims in that letter, did you take any action following seeing…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Thank you, but if I may, did you explore with your officials what options were available to you following receipt of that letter?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Why didn't you think that it was your role as Deputy Minister to—
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
But these were alluded to. Did you not think that it would be worth while investigating those further, so that you were in a position—? Given that the organisation is in receipt of some public funds, did you not think you should have taken action to verify…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Given it was formally raised with you, why wasn't there more decisive action then, in the same way as we've seen decisive action since the BBC programme?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
You will have seen, I'm sure, the headlines this morning reporting on Tonia Antoniazzi's comments that she had directly contacted the Labour-led Welsh Government about the concerns last year. So, the first question I'd like to ask: what did you know and when?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Bore da, and thank you for being with us this morning.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union
Diolch.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union
Thank you. Just briefly, there was, obviously, a comprehensive governance review in 2014, and it was stated at the time that this would ensure that the WRU was fit for purpose in the twenty-first century. Obviously, seemingly, that's not the case. So, do you…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union
Diolch.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union
Diolch. Have you reached out to her, or will you be reaching out to her?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union
Thank you. Obviously, one person who has been very vocal, and prior to this had been, is Amanda Blanc. Questions were raised at her sudden departure and, obviously, she did go public in the middle of last year in terms of some of her feelings about not being…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union
Thank you. Sorry, were you looking to come in?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union
So, if I can be clear, the recommendations relating to having more women, et cetera, were part of those recommendations.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union
Thank you. Did it prompt at the time any internal conversations around governance? Because obviously, we had the announcement last night about governance changes that you're hoping to make, which have been welcomed by many. But I'm just trying to understand…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union
I'd just like to ask to start with: when did the WRU become aware that the BBC were working on a documentary, and the nature of those allegations?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union
Thank you, Chair. Thank you for joining us today.
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language: Welsh in Education Planning
Thank you, Minister, for the update and for the opportunity to see the statement in advance. I particularly welcome the fact that the Minister has stated his commitment to ensuring that all learners in all schools have the best possible opportunity to be…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Thank you, Minister. When I've visited hospitals and picket lines in my region, staff have shared with me time and again the immense stress and pressure that they're under and the fact that many of their experienced colleagues are leaving on a weekly basis…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
9. What steps is the Minister taking to improve recruitment and retention in the NHS? OQ59056
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Thank you, Deputy Minister. But we know that councils will be cutting these vital services—services that, as you outline, are rightly incredibly important in terms of the future generations Act, health and well-being and so on. We know that these cuts are…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Deputy Minister, an Institute of Welsh Affairs report published last year described communities in Wales as the least empowered in Britain. It further stated that people are facing an arduous and demoralising process to save assets…
