26 February 2024 , Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Scrutiny session with the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
I think, probably, as I've said in the past, it's been a fairly rocky road over the Thomas commission recommendations because there was always a very adamant position taken by UK Government, which was basically, 'We don't agree with the devolution of…
21 February 2024 , Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Wales-specific COVID inquiry
I've been following the progress of the Scottish inquiry up to October 2022, when the chair and four counsel resigned from the Scottish inquiry. It is obviously a matter for the Scottish Government in terms of the explanation as to their inquiry and their…
21 February 2024 , Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Wales-specific COVID inquiry
Llywydd, while the inquiry will be sitting in Wales for the next couple of weeks, it is important that we do not view these hearings as the only time events in Wales will be closely examined during the course of this inquiry. It is incorrect to assume that…
21 February 2024 , Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Wales-specific COVID inquiry
Llywydd, the Welsh Government has shown a clear commitment to the process of scrutinising and learning lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. When the UK COVID-19 inquiry hearings come to Wales next week for module 2B, it is natural that there will be more focus…
21 February 2024 , Plenary
Debate on the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee Report, 'Inquiry into UK-EU governance'
If I can turn to the report itself and draw out four Welsh Government relationships, firstly with the Senedd, then with the UK Government and other devolved Governments, with civil society and stakeholders, and also with the EU. Firstly, the Welsh…
21 February 2024 , Plenary
Debate on the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee Report, 'Inquiry into UK-EU governance'
Let me first address the wider context. The report highlights that the work on a new UK-EU relationship is not done. For our part, in Wales, we do need to continue to protect our economic, social and environmental standards, but also seek improvements to the…
21 February 2024 , Plenary
Debate on the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee Report, 'Inquiry into UK-EU governance'
Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'm grateful to the committee for this important, thorough and detailed report, and to the Members who have contributed. I will respond to the various points in a moment. Let me start by saying how pleased I am that the…
20 February 2024 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and Nation of Sanctuary update
Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this statement as we approach the second anniversary of the illegal invasion of Ukraine. So, three days ago, I returned from Kyiv delivering three vehicles and supplies on…
6 February 2024 , Plenary
& 9. The general principles of the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. Perhaps if I start with some of the points that have been most recently made, and can I just say, right at the beginning, it's impossible for me to answer every single point that's been raised? But I'm very grateful for what is a…
6 February 2024 , Plenary
& 9. The general principles of the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill
I'll start by commenting on the issue of automatic registration, because automatic registration and other pilots that may be carried out in the future—. And we agree with the Local Government and Housing Committee on the importance of geographic diversity in…
6 February 2024 , Plenary
& 9. The general principles of the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill
I have written to the Finance Committee in response to their report. I've also provided the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee with the statements of policy intent they requested for provisions relating to the Welsh elections information platform…
6 February 2024 , Plenary
& 9. The general principles of the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill
Thank you very much, Llywydd. I move the motions. I'm pleased to open this debate on the general principles of the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill and to move the motion on the financial resolution. The Bill represents another important step on our…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Topical Questions
Thank you for those points. I suppose the reality is that we will know more about those financial consequences when we know more about the detail. I know there is already some work that has been going on. It’s very clear that some of that sum that is made up…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Topical Questions
Thank you for those comments. I'm sorry if it came over as though I was being a bit dour on it. I think it's always difficult when a very important step takes place that clearly has implications and there hasn't been that engagement, and some engagement that…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Topical Questions
You're right. It is very disappointing that on something that clearly does have significant constitutional consequences for Wales there has been no engagement with us on that. We clearly have very specific interests in the matters that are being discussed. I…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Topical Questions
Thank you for the question. Can I say that I'm sure we all welcome any restoration of devolution in Northern Ireland, if all parties agree? But the UK Government has only just provided the details of the agreement. We will need to ensure that the financial…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Can I thank you for that supplementary question? Can I thank you also for the dedication and attention you've given to this issue of mental health? Of course, I'm aware that you have the ballot to introduce a Senedd Bill relating to mental health. You've been…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Well, thank you very much for the question. The Mental Health Act 1983 is the key legislation relating to mental health care and treatment. High-quality mental health services for all in Wales is a priority. We aim to provide care close to home wherever…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Well, can I say, just taking that last point first, I think that any party that obtains a mandate for those reforms and those changes is entitled to see them put to the people? That has always been the case, in terms of my opinion. I think it's also the…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
The principle of legislative consent lies at the heart of the devolution settlements and the Welsh Government has long argued that the Sewel convention is in need of reform. We are considering the commission’s thoughtful recommendations on this.
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for your question. Of course, I understand that when you head towards a general election, when you start looking at the major issues, you want to identify what are the most immediately important issues that are there. And, of course, there are…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Well, can I say, firstly, that the social media clip you refer to was very much in response to a clip that came from the Rt Hon Robert Buckland, former Lord Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Justice? The reason I did that was because the tone of what…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
I think one of the difficulties there has been when we talk about the devolution of policing is that we've got to understand the interrelationship between policing, how policing has changed over the years, its interaction with youth offending, with social…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for the question. As the Llywydd has outlined, questions 4, 5 and 6 are being grouped. The Welsh Government’s position is clear. We continue to support the devolution of policing and justice to Wales, as supported recently by the constitutional…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Can I just thank you again for keeping this issue on the radar, because it's a very important one? It's an issue that features also in the UK Government's Victims and Prisoners Bill, and, of course, one of the ways that that Bill is seeking to address some of…
