Rhun ap Iorwerth: In the opening remarks of that conference, the word 'crisis' was indeed used, and I'm sure your Labour colleagues in Scotland and England will note that you disagree with their assessment of the state of the NHS. But you did say that we need a serious debate, and it is a serious debate. We heard serious contributions from Jane Dodds, from John Griffiths, from Members on my benches, Russell...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Yes, yes. I take some positives in an acceptance from Government that we are making the right calls, that she thinks she is moving in the direction on agency staffing; you're saying things now that you weren't a week ago on agency staffing.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Well, it is. The First Minister refused to engage on agency workers in any negative way in the Senedd last week. But let's continue with the serious debate. We'll keep on pushing, as will our partners, this five-point plan, because we need to bring all our ideas to the table to resolve the problems facing the NHS.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: It's crucial for food security that we promote and protect production of food, but also the processing of food. And I'm very grateful to the Minister, in her role as Minister for rural affairs and food, along with the Minister for Economy, for agreeing to meet with me later today to discuss the urgent actions required in light of the announcement of the consultation on the closure of the 2...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I suppose the first thing I should say is that I'm pleased that we do have a cancer plan, and I look forward to seeing it hopefully make a difference. We know that our survival rates aren't good enough. We know that there are people—I was speaking to one person who found out too late over this weekend that he had cancer—there are too many people not being able to access the treatment that...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: 1. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's response to the 2 Sisters Food Group's consultation on the closure of its site in Llangefni? OQ59108
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you, Minister. It is now almost a fortnight since the announcement of the consultation—it was a short one anyway. And, although it was clear from the outset that the risk was that this was a decision that had already been made, it is crucial, of course, that the priority is to see whether there is anything that can be done to change the company's mind. But, we must simultaneously...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I'd like to ask for a debate and a statement in Government time on the future of dentistry in Wales, because I do have to say that it's hard to see a future for NHS dentistry in Wales at the moment. A year ago, there were nine dentists providing NHS services on Anglesey. Now, there are only six. In Holyhead, the dentist there is the latest to inform patients they won't be treating on the NHS...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: May I first of all comment on the proposed salary increase of 1.5 per cent, because it's only that that's being considered as a pay rise, not the bonus, of course? I am convinced that it isn't enough to make up for many years of pay cuts in real terms, and it's quite right that the union members themselves will now decide whether to accept it or reject it. In terms of this issue of pay...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much. It’s good to have the opportunity to talk again about the bid that has been prepared and put forward by Isle of Anglesey County Council and Stena Line to designate Holyhead and Anglesey a free port on behalf of the whole of north Wales. I’ll say as a supporter of that bid, and one that’s collaborated with the authors, that we need some honesty in terms of this...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: So, on those new foundations, Anglesey council was free to team up with Stena to put a bid together. They had my full support. The bid itself is about bringing investment, job opportunities, encouraging entrepreneurship on the island and across the north, and it's important that councils across the north are all supporting it. So, across the region, across party lines too, this new...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Will you take an intervention?
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you for taking an intervention. Hopefully, the Minister will acknowledge that this isn't a motion about increasing bands of taxation; this is about principle. She's acknowledged that this is an important debate to have, and that she wants to have it again, but will she give an undertaking to actually address why she as a Minister, and this Government, and Labour, cannot back the...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: May I thank Russell George for bringing forward this short debate at the Senedd today? I just want to echo the comments that have been made already about the benefit that can come to us in so many ways in developing medical trials in Wales. The benefits come to patients, clearly, because the closer patients are to where trials are taking place the greater the chance that they can become part...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: 11. What financial support is the Government offering to families that have children with severe health needs in light of the cost-of-living crisis? OQ59149
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Diolch yn fawr iawn. I was discussing during a recent visit to Tŷ Gobaith the pressures on families who have very poorly children, or children with very significant needs. They face challenges that most of us don't have to face all of the time, but of course the cost-of-living crisis has added hugely to the pressures on them. I'm thinking of the Gleave family near Amlwch, three...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Minister, this has taken us back a good 15 years, undoing the good work of my predecessor, Ieuan Wyn Jones, when he was transport Minister, undoing the good work of your predecessors in mapping out why the case had been made for a third Menai crossing and which routes should be pursued and why. Can I also comment on the way that this announcement has been made? I have had a chance, in a short...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: This is of huge importance to my constituents.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: There's mention of a site visit; I'd like to know when the site visit happened and whether that saw the chaos caused by the closing of the Menai bridge. It says it's to improve accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, but another part of the review says that one opportunity for increasing modal shift is to dual the railway line on the Britannia bridge. Is that right? Well, the only place...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: —what that lack of resilience means. I'm appalled by this decision, the way that it has been made, and the inconsistencies in the way this Government has made this decision today.
