Sam Rowlands: Thank you, Minister, for bringing forward today's statement. I certainly welcome the ambition to build a stronger, greener economy here in Wales. A key part of making and seeing that green economy a success is the role that local authorities can play in achieving this. In light of this, I was disappointed to see that local authorities and councils were not mentioned in your statement today,...
Sam Rowlands: Thank you to the Member for submitting a really important question in relation to rail freight and the Welsh economy. Minister, the Conwy valley railway line in my region runs from Llandudno down to Blaenau Ffestiniog, actually, in the Member’s constituency, and continues to be a really important transport route for many people. I’ve been really pleased to see Network Rail invest millions...
Sam Rowlands: Thank you to the Petitions Committee for bringing forward this important petition and debate today. This is my first petitions debate since becoming a Member of the Senedd, and first of all I’d like to congratulate Mr Sargeant on his chairing of that committee and bringing this item forward today, and on what, for me, was a humbling contribution from you, Jack. It certainly puts into...
Sam Rowlands: Will the First Minister provide an update on plans to support the development of elite sporting facilities in North Wales?
Sam Rowlands: I'm still slightly aghast at the comments trying to insinuate links between an insurrection of the Capitol and voter inclusion discussion here today. But thank you to the Government for brining forward today's debate. First, I'd like to start with reiterating the points that Members have raised already: the importance of free and fair elections. I support moves to ensure that those eligible...
Sam Rowlands: So, coming back to the insinuation that voter ID would suppress voting and deny people their fundamental democratic rights, it clearly has had no effect in Northern Ireland. And we do have an issue in Senedd elections and we must come to face this: 46.6 per cent of people voted in May's elections compared to 67 per cent in UK general elections. The UK Government may have some good ideas here...
Sam Rowlands: 6. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Economy about promoting the educational benefits of apprenticeships in North Wales? OQ57147
Sam Rowlands: Minister, before I go on to my question, every time you mention the Deputy Minister taking a deep dive, I do imagine him physically taking a deep dive from time to time. [Laughter.] But thanks to the Member for submitting this really important question regarding the potential impact of devolving control of the Crown Estate in Wales on renewable energy. I'm sure you'll be aware, Minister, that...
Sam Rowlands: Thank you, Minister, for your response there. As I'm sure you would acknowledge also, apprenticeships do have a huge benefit and can often be the start of extremely successful career paths for many people across my region in north Wales and indeed across Wales generally, often seeing more progression and skills development perhaps than those who may go through an alternative route through...
Sam Rowlands: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and thank you, Minister, for your response to the debate that you’ve heard today. In closing this debate it has been encouraging to see all Members, from across the Chamber, supporting the main thrust of our Conservative motion today to address the spiking situation that we face. And I’m proud that Welsh Conservatives brought forward this incredibly...
Sam Rowlands: Thank you, Minister, for today's statement. Minister, as you will be aware, farms throughout north Wales play a huge role in supporting our local economy, communities and indeed our food chain. Many farmers that I've met with in recent months alongside the NFU have raised their concerns of the bovine TB eradication programme simply not being robust enough and not doing enough to deal with the...
Sam Rowlands: Thank you, Minister, for bringing forward today's statement. I certainly welcome the overall objectives of looking to get as many young people engaged with work, with self-employment, with training or education. So, I certainly welcome that. I also welcome the specific reference to seeking support for young people into entrepreneurship as well. It's fantastic that so many young people want to...
Sam Rowlands: 4. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Climate Change regarding the role that farmers can play in tackling climate change? OQ57206
Sam Rowlands: Diolch, Llywydd, and good afternoon, Minister. First of all, I'd like to thank you for your recent correspondence in providing an update on the next consultation around corporate joint committees. I'd like to focus my questioning on that today. First of all, Minister, do you agree with the previous Cabinet secretary for local government and public services that corporate joint committees, and...
Sam Rowlands: Thanks, Minister. And just to be clear, I wasn't quoting Julie James there; it was the previous Minister to Julie, whose quote came through the local government committee. But thank you for your answer. A huge concern that I have with corporate joint committees, and one that seems to be shared by many councillors and council leaders across the country, is their democratic nature, or perhaps...
Sam Rowlands: Thanks, Minister. Your answer certainly answered partially in terms of the leaders having that voting responsibility on those corporate joint committees, but, of course, like in my region, you've got six councils, therefore six leaders, and you've probably got nearly 400 councillors across that region who are locally elected. And I think this is an area that's perhaps not being appreciated at...
Sam Rowlands: Thank you very much, Minister, for your initial response there. In recent months, I've had the pleasure, alongside the National Farmers Union, of visiting two very different farms in my region, North Wales—Llyr Jones's farm, Derwydd, on the Conwy-Denbighshire border, and the Rhug estate near Corwen, which I'm sure you'll be familiar with as well. Both, whilst continuing to ensure we have...
Sam Rowlands: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Can I say how delighted I am to be able to contribute in this debate today on the Member's food Bill, brought forward by my colleague Peter Fox, which has the potential to create huge opportunities for people up and down Wales? I must say at this point as well that I have also enjoyed Members' references to food in their contributions, from 'bread and...
Sam Rowlands: 6. What discussions has the Welsh Government had with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board about mental health services in North Wales? OQ57254
Sam Rowlands: Thank you, First Minister, for your response. I'd also like to take a moment just to point to the damning Holden report that came out last week, which my colleague, Darren Millar has raised with you earlier today, because it is such a significant report for my residents who I represent in north Wales. And, First Minister, this report is shocking. It does seem to point to a pattern of...
