Mabon ap Gwynfor: ...in this debate, the funding agenda post Brexit in Westminster has meant to date more powers for Westminster, more money for Tory constituencies, and less democracy for Wales, and less funding and representation for Wales too. We deserve better than this clear effort to buy loyalty for a split and failing union.
Mark Drakeford: ...of the Senedd—every nine months. Where's the referendum on that, I wonder? Now, I agree entirely with what my colleague Alun Davies has said. You cannot find an independent report into the representation the people in Wales need in order to take the important decisions that are made here on their behalf that believes that 60 Members is a sufficient quantum to discharge those...
Paul Davies: ...from the Welsh Government this afternoon? Firstly, I'd be grateful if the Minister for Health and Social Services could bring forward a statement on ophthalmology services, following an increase in representations that I've received from people waiting urgently for treatment. Some of those patients have wet macular degeneration and, while there is no cure, it can be treated of course with...
Jane Hutt: ...clear that this is an 'Anti-racist Wales Action Plan' and it's got a robust set of actions to help us make a real difference to the lives of people in Wales. Now, this is a leadership issue; it's a representation issue. This morning we had 300 people join our virtual launch and there were people signing up to, for example, the zero tolerance of racism campaign, very much led by Race...
Sioned Williams: .... So many reports, so much research, which many of us have quoted here in numerous debates, has demonstrated this truth and has shown why the approach and implementation of previous strategies were not sufficient. The aims of the anti-racist action plan are without question welcome, and Plaid Cymru is proud to have been part of the work of forging the plan through our co-operation...
Heledd Fychan: ...rightly pointed out some of the things that have changed, it is clear that more action is needed and that it will take all of us working together to change this. We also need to be clear that it's not going to be easy. We've already seen some of the national institutions be challenged on their work on decolonisation facing vile abuse online and being questioned by those who don't agree...
Dawn Bowden: ...early age, through our education system, then we're in very difficult territory. To go back to some of the other points that you've raised, I think what is important, particularly in the areas of representation in terms of access—access to our bodies, whether it is access to exhibitions, so it becomes more accessible for people to participate in the viewing and the involvement in...
Alun Davies: I'm grateful to you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and yes, being seen and not heard is something of a difficulty. But it was more difficult, of course, for Northern Ireland, because in the long debates, which were reported in the media, about the future of Northern Ireland—and people spoke from all parts of Europe, from all parts of the United Kingdom—there was nobody there to represent...
Elin Jones: ...may be, we believe that it is right that, where there are areas that are the responsibility of Senedd Members and Ministers here, those people representing us have the right to speak and make the representations that need to be made on behalf of the people of Wales.
Jenny Rathbone: ...flood of evictions that could result from this deferral. So, landlords have had six years to get ready for the renting homes Act, as has already been said by our colleague Rhys ab Owen, but what representations have you had from tenants? And what plans do you have to reintroduce the ban on no-fault evictions shorter than six months until such time as we are able to implement the renting...
Julie James: ...high demand like the centre of Cardiff, as Jenny Rathbone made plain, and indeed in the centre of my own constituency, in Swansea. We are very aware of that and we have, as I said, made a number of representations on the local housing allowance, and we continue to make efforts to ensure that landlords are aware of our leasing schemes to give them a guaranteed income if they are prepared to...
Huw Irranca-Davies: ...40 Members necessary for a supermajority here in this Senedd. As we state in the report, we firmly believe that these reforms are essential and they are achievable before 2026, but to do so, we cannot dither or delay. Today, we in this Siambr can choose to send a clear message to the Government that there is now a consensus that we should move forward. In presenting this report, I and...
Huw Irranca-Davies: ...for the Welsh Government to deliver the legislation needed and to set out a clear pathway for reforming our Senedd. We can choose to give the people of Wales a stronger voice and include diversity, representation and inclusion at the heart of this Senedd, where the votes are more equal. We can make a Senedd that is fit for today and, also, fit for the future. The case for change is urgent;...
Darren Millar: The issue of a referendum comes at the end of the discussions and deliberations, does it not? And we are at that point where recommendations have been made by the committee, and it's at that point, when you look at the significant changes that have been recommended, that you have to accept that the public of Wales have not had their say. Now, we acknowledge that there is a majority in this...
Darren Millar: We believe that people should be selected as candidates not because of their gender, or their race, or their religion, or their disability, but because of their qualities and merits as candidates. That is our firm belief. And I ask the question as well: why do we actually need to take any action on that front when you look at the fact that the Senedd actually had...
Darren Millar: We must remember that the existing system of elections has delivered 50:50 representation on a gender basis in this Senedd in the past. And on that basis, there's no actual need to take this particular action. So, why on earth would this Welsh Government want to embark upon a journey that is going to end in the Supreme Court on the current basis of the devolution settlement? Because that's...
Jane Dodds: ...capacity to do that justice, especially given the significant shift in the lay of the land in recent years. Secondly, I am pleased that the committee has been able to navigate the issue of gender representation. We need to bake into the legislation measures that act as a stop-gap to ensure that we don't fall further behind. This also gives us the opportunity to put forward on other...
Natasha Asghar: ...of gender balance should never be at the expense of genuine diversity and equality. I am proud of the fact that I am the first woman of colour to be elected here to the Welsh Parliament, but I did not get here and stand amongst you all today due to the colour of my skin. I am humbled every day by the fact that I got here on my own merit and through equal competition with some very...
Siân Gwenllian: ...of the reasons why I decided to try to become a Member of the Senedd six years ago, because I believed that we needed many more women in influential roles in public life. I also believe that we cannot reach gender equality at the speed required without direct intervention and without specific mechanisms to achieve equality. For some years now, I have been chairing the Senedd's cross-party...
James Evans: You might not like to hear what I've got to say, but I'm sure some of the people of Wales will. Well, well, well. It's been almost a year to the day since I stood in this Chamber and I delivered a speech against, then, Labour, Plaid and the Lib Dems' calls for more powers to this Senedd. Now, we're back here again discussing having more politicians. No wonder people out there think...
