Leanne Wood: First Minister, in recent weeks disclosures have been made to me by workers in our NHS about serious problems with staff morale and well-being. People serving on the front line claim to be at breaking point as a result of some of the pressures that are being put upon them. Now, I've only had permission to refer to one of these disclosures so far, but the person's asked me specifically to...
Leanne Wood: Thank you for that, First Minister. I would urge you as well to ask your health Secretary to assess the well-being of staff in the NHS, as the letter that I received mentions that counsellors from a charity have had to be brought in to speak with ambulance control staff, such is the level of that stress. If that is true, that is a really shocking situation and it's an emergency within our...
Leanne Wood: Labour-controlled Newport City Council are seeking to amend their public space protection order to include a blanket 'no begging' restriction, as part of a crackdown on aggressive or intimidating begging. It's the view of homelessness charity Wallich that aggressive begging is already prohibited under the existing PSPO and that shifting begging off the streets will only make it harder to...
Leanne Wood: 3. A wnaiff Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet ddatganiad am leihau faint o ddeunydd pacio plastig a gaiff ei ddefnyddio? OAQ51570
Leanne Wood: Earlier this week, the European Union pledged to make all plastic packaging recyclable by 2030. That's something I fully support, and I'm sure all of us here would, because we understand the huge toll that plastic is having on our environment, our wildlife and, ultimately, our health. As things stand, we will be out of the EU by 2030. What discussions are you having with Government to ensure...
Leanne Wood: I'm pleased to be able to contribute to today's debate and to sponsor it alongside colleagues from several parties in this Chamber. It follows effective evidence-based campaigning by the MS Society UK and others, and valuable discussions at the cross-party group on neurological conditions. At a meeting of that group last October, I encouraged patients and politicians to take forward a...
Leanne Wood: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, leaked documents suggest that the Hywel Dda Local Health Board is considering the future of hospitals in its area. Now, it's only been around three years since the last reconfiguration, which was meant to offer a long-term and sustainable solution, yet people now face more proposals, including closures. Was the health board being honest about its last...
Leanne Wood: Well, First Minister, you have to ultimately be responsible and accountable for health. Health is fully devolved and responsible to you. Now, the health board are indicating that they want people treated closer to their homes and in the community, but that's not what the proposals in the leaked document appear to be about. One aspect that could complement existing hospital services is the...
Leanne Wood: The point is, First Minister, that people need an integrated health system and community services that complement district general hospitals, not replace them. People in the west are still going to need emergency treatment. They will still need operations, they will still need overnight stays and accident and emergency within a reasonable distance of their homes. Now, a Plaid Cymru government...
Leanne Wood: Diolch Llywydd. It was right that you today acknowledged the wrongdoing in relation to Adam Price's personal data. We will return to the issue of confidentiality of Members' correspondence at another time, but I'll put that to one side for now. I want to ask you about Brexit. The UK Government reiterated yesterday that they want us out of the customs union. Now, as well as damaging the Welsh...
Leanne Wood: But First Minister, that was a specific recommendation—a call for action on your Government, not the UK Government. I move on to the customs union question now. If we pull out of the customs union, the UK will have to negotiate its own free trade agreements. Trade deals outside of the EU and the customs union could have a major impact on our economy. I'm sure you would agree with...
Leanne Wood: But asking for consultation is weak. Why don't you go for the strongest option of demanding a veto? First Minister, on 17 October last year, I proposed that you should have a plan for all Brexit scenarios, including the prospect of leaving the European Union without a deal. You said then, and I quote—and you've just said it again: 'there is no mitigation for no deal. There is nothing...
Leanne Wood: Have a word with your leader, then.
Leanne Wood: 5. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on the awarding of the next rail franchise? OAQ51711
Leanne Wood: How is the Welsh Government working to improve cycle and pedestrian routes in the Rhondda?
Leanne Wood: It's baffling as to why you are conducting the franchise tendering process under such a thick veil of secrecy. Unlike the UK Government's Department for Transport and Transport Scotland, you are refusing to publish the invitation-to-tender documents that have been issued to bidders. If you did publish those documents, people in Wales—the people who are herded onto those train services...
Leanne Wood: Counsel General, the discussions between the devolved countries and the UK Government are crucial as we look towards a continuity Bill to protect the constitution of the Welsh nation. The First Minister had a meeting with UK Government Ministers last week, which those Ministers described as helpful. There have been several meetings now where the outcome has either been described as...
Leanne Wood: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, you stated last September that you wanted to see a justice system—and I quote—that was 'truly representative of Welsh needs.' The priorities are to improve access to justice, to reduce crime and to promote rehabilitation. We know that your commission is due to report back in 2019, but that's a little bit late to ensure that justice policy can be devolved...
Leanne Wood: I agree with you, First Minister, and that’s why it’s such a shame that the opportunity was missed when the last Wales Bill was going through. There is one case that demonstrates to me in a very striking way why we must have control over our criminal justice system, and why that must happen soon. The case of Conner Marshall of Barry demonstrated huge failings in the probation system. He...
Leanne Wood: Again, First Minister, I have to express regrets to you that we weren’t having this discussion before; we could have prevented the privatisation of the probation service. I do now, though, want to turn to the question of superprisons. I’m appalled to see prisons held up as a tool for economic development when their main role is to deliver rehabilitation through custodial sentences....
