Samuel Kurtz: Thank you. We’re all agreed that we want to see an increase in the number of Welsh speakers in all parts of Wales. Often Tenby, in the middle of my constituency, is considered a traditionally Welsh-speaking community, but the Welsh-medium school, Ysgol Hafan y Môr, has been described by a local councillor as 'bursting at the seams', and Ysgol Caer Elen in Haverfordwest is also full. With...
Samuel Kurtz: Thank you. And when you made your statement on 'Cymraeg 2050' before the summer recess, I asked this question of you, but, unfortunately, I didn't receive a response. You said that you want to encourage young Welsh speakers to return from university to help to teach through the medium of Welsh in our schools. I drew attention to the fact that this makes it more difficult to recruit teachers...
Samuel Kurtz: I thank all Members for contributing to the debate and to the Deputy Minister for responding.
Samuel Kurtz: Thank you to all Members for taking part, and to the Deputy Minister for her response and steadfast determination to bring about the necessary change in this. We stand here at a critical moment, and with the topic being debated today so pertinent, it would be remiss of me not to share my own personal story. Like the Member for Alyn and Deeside, I too am a statistic. Like many last year,...
Samuel Kurtz: 1. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Climate Change regarding the priority given to the protection of marine life in deciding the Welsh Government's fisheries policy? OQ57001
Samuel Kurtz: Thank you, Minister. You will be delighted to hear, I’m sure, that I’ve been recently appointed the Atlantic grey seal champion, and last week I enjoyed a meeting with the Marine Conservation Society on Tenby north beach to discuss some of the challenges that these creatures face from human actions while undertaking a beach clean. At this time of year the Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire...
Samuel Kurtz: Thank you to the Member from Anglesey for bringing this debate to the Chamber.
Samuel Kurtz: Wales has a wealth of renewable and green energy potential, and it would be remiss of me not to start, given that Rhun ap Iorwerth has secured this debate, by mentioning the opportunities in Ynys Môn. He's mentioned solar, but the Wylfa Newydd nuclear energy site is a campaign I know his constituency colleague, the Member of Parliament for Ynys Môn, Virginia Crosbie, has championed...
Samuel Kurtz: What action is the Welsh Government taking to tackle flooding in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire?
Samuel Kurtz: Trefnydd, can I call on the Minister for Climate Change to make a statement on the Welsh Government's flooding policy, please? In the winter of 2020-21, the quayside in Carmarthen flooded a total of three times in no less than nine weeks. Having met with the businesses and property owners on the quay, they remain worried regarding future flooding of the Towy and of the quayside. Natural...
Samuel Kurtz: 1. What impact will the Welsh Government’s roads review have on improvements already in progress on the A40: Llanddewi Velfrey to Redstone Cross bypass? TQ572
Samuel Kurtz: Thank you, Deputy Minister. That's really reassuring to hear after what you will understand has been a concerning weekend in west Wales due to a press report release that said to the contrary. Your office said, 'We understand the interest in this project. It is right for the scope of this review to be as broad as possible. Beyond that, we cannot predetermine the views of the panel', clearly...
Samuel Kurtz: Given the importance of this afternoon's debate, it would be remiss of me not to touch on the important contributions of our Welsh-language teachers, in particular those in both primary and secondary education, who are working around the clock to deliver a first-rate Welsh-medium education to young people right across Wales—a key tool in the chest should the Welsh Government want to achieve...
Samuel Kurtz: Diolch, Llywydd, and I have agreed to give James Evans, Rhun ap Iorwerth, Peter Fox, Cefin Campbell and Alun Davies a minute each of my time. I would like to declare an interest before I begin. The Wales Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, known more commonly as Wales YFC, is a voluntary youth organisation and registered charity operating bilingually throughout rural Wales. My YFC life started...
Samuel Kurtz: Oh yes I was. [Laughter.] Now, a little older, with fewer spots but still with braces, I have the huge privilege of being Pembrokeshire YFC's chairman, and I'm proudly wearing my Pembrokeshire YFC tie today. So why, then, have I in my first short debate in this Siambr felt the need to discuss Wales YFC? Is it the countless friends that I've made and continue to make through my involvement...
Samuel Kurtz: This organisation in Wales is bilingual, with a number of competitions through the medium of Welsh, with the Young Farmers Eisteddfod shown on S4C very often. The Welsh language and culture of Wales are dovetailed with the young farmers organisation.
Samuel Kurtz: While Wales YFC is a charity itself, its members are never shy of raising some much needed funds for other charities, both local and national. My favourite YFC memory was when I was one of 27 other members and supporters of Pembrokeshire YFC who cycled the 250 miles from Haverfordwest showground to our national annual general meeting in Blackpool, over four days. We were hosted by another YFC...
Samuel Kurtz: First Minister, I welcome the Local Places for Nature scheme, and I look forward to increasing access to and enjoyment of nature and our rural areas for a wider Welsh audience. I remember as a child having the countryside code taught to me in school, and I am sure you did, as did many others in this Chamber. It provided advice on how to make sure that our enjoyment of the countryside did not...
Samuel Kurtz: Trefnydd, can I call for two statements from yourself, please, as rural affairs Minister? Firstly, this week marks the start of COP26, and I note the absence of a statement from yourself regarding the positive role that agriculture can play in the fight against climate change. I'm sure you'll agree with me that it is our agricultural communities that are the natural custodians of our...
Samuel Kurtz: 6. Will the Minister make a statement on the accessibility of NHS dentists in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire? OQ57114
