Joyce Watson: Cabinet Secretary, I thank you for your written statement that you issued yesterday afternoon. And, as everybody here will agree, it is hugely disappointing news for the area in which I represent and live. It is a devastating blow, particularly for those families, and it's those families and those individuals who will be facing a very uncertain future that I really want to focus on here...
Joyce Watson: I thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for what you’ve already said. You did join with me, through the summer recess, to view for yourself, alongside me, and speak to, all those involved in delivering this care in paediatric services, both in Glangwili and also in Withybush. And what we’ve seen, and what we’ve heard, really supports what you’ve just said—that we have a very, very good...
Joyce Watson: I welcome taking part in this important debate today. The commission in Wales has worked extremely closely with Welsh Government in taking the equality and human rights agenda forward and I think that that’s invaluable. It’s important that the commission is able to hold the Government, public authorities and employers to account for their actions in Wales and I’m sure that nobody here...
Joyce Watson: First Minister, do you agree with me that we often see very many claims that are disputed afterwards by highly paid consultants about the transference of providing a service. I am talking particularly here about the Unison report against the transfer of the leisure facilities services in Pembrokeshire, which is, in their words, not in the best interests of the people who would want to access...
Joyce Watson: Cabinet Secretary, this week, of all weeks, we do reflect, actually, upon the connection between the armed forces and the public, particularly in the areas where they live. These plans, by concentrating personnel in fewer centres, do risk eroding that special bond, and that’s one of my fears. As you know, I’ve grown up in west Wales and Cawdor barracks was always part of that community,...
Joyce Watson: Will the Minister provide an update on road improvements to the A470/A493 Tywyn junction in Dolgellau?
Joyce Watson: Cabinet Secretary, it is, of course, right that these questions are raised here in the Assembly, and I’m sure that you agree that questions are raised and asked in the Assembly. But I’m a bit concerned about the tone of the question that you had previously, and how that will play out in Pembrokeshire, where I live. I don’t want the message from here to become one of alarm, that,...
Joyce Watson: Diolch, Lywydd. I’m grateful to speak in this incredibly important debate today, and, of course, I welcome it and I welcome the ‘State of Nature 2016 Wales’ report. First of all, I want to start by thanking all the organisations involved for their hard work in producing what is a very detailed and informative paper, and, most importantly, to recognise the thousands of dedicated,...
Joyce Watson: 6. What assessment has the First Minister made regarding the call for an independent inquiry into prison violence and suicide? OAQ(5)0260(FM)
Joyce Watson: I thank you for that, and I’m sure you are aware, First Minister, that a prison safety and reform White Paper from the Department of Justice was released at the beginning of this month. We cannot divorce the Conservative Government budget cuts in recent years from the reduction in prison staff that has had disastrous consequences for both prisoners and the staff. The Westminster Government...
Joyce Watson: Cabinet Secretary, I don’t—or I would hope that there isn’t anybody in this room who would accept the health board’s decision to take the appropriate action in this case. Because in this case, as things are now existing on the ground, it seems that, sadly, patient safety, which has to be the No. 1 priority, could be put at risk. And that is simply as a consequence of the recruitment...
Joyce Watson: Eliminating violence against women and children is everybody’s business. It’s fair to say, Cabinet Secretary, that you have made it your business. New Members may not be aware of how much you did as a Minister in previous Assemblies, and you have driven forward policies and strategies and legislation. So, I wanted to recognise you here again and your absolute commitment. There are six...
Joyce Watson: 7. Will the Welsh Government make a statement on the ecological status of Welsh inland and coastal waters? OAQ(5)0063(ERA)
Joyce Watson: Cabinet Secretary, as well as collaboration within and between local government, there are also important partnerships between local authorities and other partners. One of those has been Powys council and the Powys teaching health board, who have entered into an agreement on health and social care in particular. Can you tell me whether there has been any assessment made of that collaboration...
Joyce Watson: Yes, I’ve seen that figure and I thank you for that answer. It is, indeed, really good news. But I want to focus on what we’re doing in terms of the water framework directive, and the stats for inland and coastal waters aren’t quite so good. In fact, only 37 per cent are in ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ ecological condition. I understand that things like historical industry, physical...
Joyce Watson: Thank you for that question. There have been a total of 63 accidents that have been recorded on the estate since 2011. Forty-three of them were by Commission staff, two by Assembly Members, two by Assembly Member support staff, two by Welsh Government staff, four by contractors, and 10 by public visitors.
Joyce Watson: Identifying, of course, the causes of accidents is where you have to start, and the health and safety adviser does make regular floor walks of the Assembly estate with a full-time trade union officer. Any recorded hazards are assessed and remedied quickly, with each department having its own health and safety champion. But when accidents do occur—and they will—they are investigated by the...
Joyce Watson: Thank you. In 1991, the first White Ribbon campaign was launched by a group of men in Canada after the brutal mass shooting of 14 female students at the University of Montreal, asking men to sign a pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women. In 1996, that was adopted in South Africa, and in 1998 Womankind launched the first White Ribbon Day in the UK. In...
Joyce Watson: I’d like to call Andrew R.T. Davies.
Joyce Watson: I’d like now to call Neil Hamilton.
