David Rowlands: I and my group shall be supporting the Plaid motion. In my five years as a Member of the Senedd, I have never had so many e-mails on any subject. Not only were the correspondents against these measures, they were desperate to have them annulled, because they literally feared for their livelihoods should they become law. Much of my contribution to this debate will duplicate the facts,...
David Rowlands: Yes, diolch, Llywydd. Can I thank all those who've contributed to this debate? But, as always, the arguments put forward by my colleague Caroline Jones are largely ignored. The Welsh Government says it is committed to a zero-carbon economy in Wales and that active travel is to play a significant role in achieving their goals, but a policy of school centralisation will, as Caroline Jones...
David Rowlands: The truth is, of course, that the amount set aside by the Welsh Government to implement these measures has been identified by farmers, farmers unions and the whole of the farming industry as totally inadequate. Now, whilst I have great respect for the AM for Caerphilly, his reason for not voting against the Government last Wednesday does not cut ice when he says there are two large polluters...
David Rowlands: First of all, can I thank the committee for this report? It is an exhaustive piece of work, both in the scope and its recommendations. Indeed, it's so comprehensive I shall have to confine my comments to what I see as the key elements. But I have to presage my contribution by saying that I feel the Welsh Government over the last five years has gone a long way to addressing many of the issues...
David Rowlands: This is, as usual, a robust and comprehensive report by the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee and I congratulate Russell George, the committee members, and, of course, the Commission staff who have helped to put this report together. Given the limited time I have, I shall concentrate on the overarching principles and the effects on homeworking, but would say that I am in agreement...
David Rowlands: I ask once again: would the Welsh Government make a statement condemning the appalling behaviour of Ursula von der Leyen and the European Commission in the handling of the vaccine roll-out in Europe? As well as threats to block the exports of vaccines to the UK, her obfuscation and u-turn strategies have undoubtedly cost many thousands of lives across the European Union. And further, would...
David Rowlands: Can I thank the Deputy Minister for his statement this afternoon? Also, can I acknowledge both Lee Waters's and Ken Skates's personal commitment to the cause of carbon-free transport? One cannot doubt that the aims outlined in this report are, indeed, laudable aims. We all want to see a greater use of public transport, more active travel and less use of cars, and where it is not possible to...
David Rowlands: [Inaudible.]—use of electric vehicles. Has the Welsh Government sought help from the UK Government to implement these? One final point. Reducing the speed limit in urban areas to 20 mph will not help reduce carbon emissions but, as the ministry of transport figures prove, will increase carbon emissions. Why does the Welsh Government ignore this paradox with a proposed implementation of...
David Rowlands: I wish to start my contribution to the debate by acknowledging that, during this fifth Senedd, there have been some positive interventions with regard to the economy and to transport infrastructure, as well as moves to encourage entrepreneurial activity, but it has to be said, the previous 15 years of Labour rule, at one time ably abetted by Plaid Cymru, have been nothing short of disastrous...
