31 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Again, can I thank you for raising this? I have raised the objectives of the Hillsborough Law Now campaign with the UK Government on many occasions, most recently at last week’s Inter-ministerial Group for Justice in the context of the case for a statutory…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Can I say I think the point you raise is fundamentally important? It is certainly something that goes to a trope that I've been continually mentioning, and that is democratic health. I think there is a need for an ongoing debate on our democratic health. Some…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
I haven't seen the survey, but it's not something, in your talking about it, that causes me any surprise, because I doubt whether there's a single Member in here, and across all parties, who has not experienced severe abuse. I've had quite a bit of it…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Well, can I say that the budget for the commission, having given the commission independence and a fairly broad remit in terms of how it was to go about its work and engagement, had to be one that had provision to enable that to actually happen? Now we…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Can I thank you? I think you raise some very important issues, and I think you raise them in a very constructive way. It is an important part of this sort of debate to ask how you actually make change. There was, I think, a very well-known economist and…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
One of the difficulties with the terms—whether it's devolution, whether it's independence, whether it's federalism—is that it's very much open to pejorative interpretation as to what they mean. Quite often, I find that, when different terms are used, people…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for the question. You do raise a very important issue with regard to energy, and, indeed, legislation that has been going through the UK Parliament in respect of energy, which impacts on Wales, and of course you will have seen the legislative…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you. The devolution settlement in relation to energy is indeed complex, and the conclusions and recommendations of the independent commission’s report demand thoughtful and considered attention. So, we will be considering the report in the coming weeks.
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Can I thank you for the question and also thank you for continuing to monitor and raise this particular issue? It is, in many ways, not just about the Horizon issue; it is also about how this managed to happen within our legal system. As the First Minister…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for the question. Not even the Post Office can identify the number of people impacted by the Horizon scandal. Across the entire United Kingdom, even beyond, some former sub-postmasters are only now realising that they may have been the victim of one…
30 January 2024 , Plenary
The general principles of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill
It isn't like for like, because the Government are the Executive and carry out functions. They need to be able to do that to the best of their capacity, which means having sufficient Government Ministers to do that. But it also means then having the…
30 January 2024 , Plenary
The general principles of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill
Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. I was tempted as I was making notes and listening to the contributions to try to respond to all of them. I won't because I think Members have made their points. They've made them in terms of what Members believe in. Some, I think…
30 January 2024 , Plenary
The general principles of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill
I look forward to hearing your views on this Bill. We've waited 20 years for this package of reforms and I believe that, taken together, they help to create a Parliament for Wales that will be fit for purpose for the next 20 years and beyond. Thank you very…
30 January 2024 , Plenary
The general principles of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill
I have explored whether recommendation 8 of the Reform Bill Committee could be taken forward to sunset any use of this power, but have identified that amendments of such a nature would likely impact on section 48 of the Government of Wales Act 2006, which is…
30 January 2024 , Plenary
The general principles of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill
I am grateful to all members of the Reform Bill Committee, the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, and the Finance Committee for their careful and detailed scrutiny of the Bill, and to everyone who has contributed to their evidence gathering…
30 January 2024 , Plenary
The general principles of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill
Scrutiny and accountability of government is the foundation of parliamentary democracy. The Welsh Government welcomes that scrutiny. It is at the heart of a healthy democracy. It is a fundamental check and balance, and it is the ability to speak truth to…
30 January 2024 , Plenary
The general principles of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill
Thank you. It's a pleasure to open this debate on the general principles of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and to move the motion on the general principles and on the financial resolution. The general aim of the Bill is to make the Senedd more…
13 December 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Thank you very much. I look forward to not discussing closed lists over the Christmas period. [Laughter.]
13 December 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
I will certainly be more than happy to look at any specific recommendations that come down. I know officials—. It's not something that's not being discussed, but because it was not one of the specific recommendations, it hasn't been included in the work that…
13 December 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
It wasn't part of the recommendations that came to me in terms of putting into the legislation. I know it is a topical matter that's been raised and has been considered. I'd certainly be interested in any recommendations on that. I do have the view that I…
13 December 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
For a committee to be established is a matter for the Senedd, it's not a matter for the Government to do so. The Senedd can decide whatever it wants in terms of looking at things. In terms of this legislation, the practicalities of making such changes within…
13 December 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
I think that was a 'no'.
13 December 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
I don't think it is, and I'd put it in this particular way—it's not particularly within my remit in that way—the issue of job sharing was raised some time back. It is an incredibly complex area, because job sharing means different things to different people…
13 December 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Well, I think it's in the hands of the Senedd to consider that. I don't think it's essential now, but you're right, there is a potential there for the future and it's something that we'd want to avoid, but I think there are just further discussions that have…
13 December 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
I almost said, 'All power to the Soviets' but I meant all power to the Senedd.
