Darren Millar: Can I call for a statement from the Minister for the economy and transport on concessionary rail fare schemes here in Wales? The Minister will be aware that the UK Government announced the introduction of a veteran rail card in England, and I know that veterans are asking across Wales as to whether there'll be a similar card available to them here in Wales. I know that the Welsh Government...
Darren Millar: You refer to the climate change emergency. Of course, one of the things that's been pointed out about your Government's actions to date on this is the fact that you're giving significant subsidies, effectively, to Cardiff Airport via loans and keeping that place afloat, but of course, air transport is the most polluting form of transport. So, how does that match up with your Government's actions?
Darren Millar: 3. Will the Minister make a statement on psychological therapies in north Wales? OAQ55073
Darren Millar: Like Llyr Huws Gruffydd, I was also very concerned about the situation at Ruthin School, Minister, and I was very grateful for your very firm message in relation to the desirability of the leadership to change at that school in order for it to be able to continue to operate. I think it did make a difference and I think that that was the straw that finally broke the camel's back in terms of...
Darren Millar: Thank you for that response, Minister. As you will know, I've been greatly concerned to read the conclusions in that report, and I've read it from cover to cover. It talks about serious unwarranted variation in the provision, access, practice and culture amongst the delivery of psychological therapies in north Wales. Unacceptably long waits in some areas; pathways that are under-resourced and...
Darren Millar: I rise to speak to the motion today because of the solidarity I want to show with those people who are campaigning for their hospital services in south Wales at the moment, particularly in terms of the emergency department at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital. I've been there, I've done that, I've got the T-shirt, and I've got the scars to show it: for the campaign, which was a cross-party...
Darren Millar: Thank you. As a person who has lived through a personal flood experience in the Towyn floods 30 years ago this week, my heart goes out to each and every person that's seen the devastation of flooding in their homes and businesses over the past fortnight with storm Ciara and storm Dennis. I also know that it brings out the best in people as well, and I know that each one of us that's visited a...
Darren Millar: Can I thank the Minister for the advance copy of the statement that he shared with me this afternoon? I'm very grateful for the statement. I think it does present a very different sort of language and tone than some of the statements we've had in the past in this Chamber regarding arrangements post Brexit, and I very much welcome it. I think that it's very clear that you've considered the...
Darren Millar: Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, can you tell us what action the Welsh Government is taking to increase the number of EU citizens that are applying for EU settlement status under the scheme?
Darren Millar: Thank you for that response. I know that you and I both want to see as many EU citizens as possible that have chosen to make Wales their home stay here in Wales. But I think what is concerning is that figures that have been released by the House of Commons Library show that, as of last month, just 71 per cent of EU citizens based here in Wales have actually applied to the EU settlement...
Darren Millar: I note what you said regarding recent improvements in these figures, and, from the information that I have, it does suggest that, from December to January, we saw an 8 per cent increase in the number of people applying here in Wales for the scheme. But, notwithstanding that, the average across the UK is 93 per cent of citizens versus this 71 per cent here in those latest published figures....
Darren Millar: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Today marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Towyn floods, and I can recall the event vividly, even though I was just 13 years old. I was sat in a classroom, waiting for the English teacher to arrive. I was amongst a small group of pupils that were fixated by the view towards Towyn through the window. We saw towering waves, 40 ft high, smashing into the...
Darren Millar: Will you take an intervention?
Darren Millar: It's just on that point about not wanting to instruct the Welsh Government how to spend money. I've heard you advocate on many occasions that we should direct local authorities how to spend theirs. So, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. Surely, if there are nationally important projects, like the M4 relief road, and the UK Government wants to progress it—
Darren Millar: Diolch, Llywydd. I'm a little bit surprised, actually, by the opening contribution to this debate because, of course, the motion on the order paper talks about the failure of Welsh devolution and yet, you went on to speak very much more widely about devolution across the United Kingdom and the various challenges that that might face if a federal system, effectively, were to be introduced. Our...
Darren Millar: I would absolutely agree with you that there have been some achievements in Wales over the period of devolution and Dai referred to some of them: the carrier bag levy that we proposed on these benches, for example; the protection of school playing fields, which was also something that we proposed; the implementation of new legislation on mental health—also something that came from these...
Darren Millar: First Minister, while, clearly, there will be some public debate about whether it's appropriate to relocate the Senedd to north Wales for a week's worth of business, I think it's more proper for me to direct my questions to you regarding your Government's responsibilities. I was very pleased to see that you visited Llanfair Talhaiarn in my constituency last week to meet with flood victims...
Darren Millar: Thank you, acting Presiding Officer. Can I thank the committee for what I think is an excellent piece of work? Of course, we've seen the international strategy now and many of the recommendations have been dealt with in that new document. And can I commend the Welsh Government for the work that it's done to date on improving its engagement with the international community, both here in Wales...
Darren Millar: First Minister, one of the industries that is likely to be hit significantly as a result of falling visitor numbers is our tourism industry. It plays a huge role in the economy, particularly in north, mid and west Wales. And, of course, it's absolutely vital that we do what we can to protect those businesses that might be adversely affected, and indeed the many jobs in those businesses, on...
Darren Millar: Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, can I ask you how many people from Wales are currently stranded overseas as a result of the coronavirus crisis?
