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...
Sioned Williams: So, why are gender quotas a necessary step? How will they be effective? Well, gender quotas will provide a quick and simple solution to the unjustifiable fact of women's under-representation, or potential under-representation, in elected politics. International research shows that they are the single most effective tool for fast-tracking women's representation in elected bodies for...
Sioned Williams: ...exist, although report after report points to the contrary, and the make-up of this Senedd proves it beyond a doubt. There are those who feel that we don't need statutory measures to ensure better representation. After all, we wore our early gender balance achievements as a badge of pride and patted ourselves on the back for leading the way. But when we look around this Siambr, we can see...
John Griffiths: ...by an increase in capacity and resource to enable that job, that bigger job, to be done as effectively as it needs to be done, and that is the point, isn't it? It's about powers for a purpose, not powers for the sake of having those powers, but powers to deliver better for the people of Wales. And I would like to say as well, Dirprwy Lywydd, that I do believe, from a Labour and Welsh...
Llyr Gruffydd: ...which would mean fewer additional costs ultimately. So, I see this as an investment rather than a cost. More than that, of course, it's an investment that brings other positives, such as expanding representation to ensure that there is more balance and more diversity among those who are representing in this Senedd.
Julie James: ...cultural and recreation asset for locals and visitors. In July last year, I released a written statement on taking action to better protect and manage the Gwent levels, following the decision not to proceed with the M4 relief road in 2019. Today, I am updating Members on the progress being made and the measures I am supporting to ensure the levels have the right level of protection and...
Samuel Kurtz: This is a topic that the Member has made many representations about previously, but diverts slightly away from the topic of hydrogen, which we'll focus on, given that time is of the essence. If this is achieved, Wales would be able to export hydrogen across the country. But, Pembrokeshire needs a 100 per cent hydrogen pipeline to be built, connecting the Haven to south Wales's industrial...
Julie James: ...as difficult to decarbonise, and hydrogen has a key role in the road map to net zero for those sectors. Llywydd, it's absolutely essential that we look to decarbonise these sectors, and we do not create incentives that lock us into a continued dependency on fossil fuels. While I recognise there is a transition for some sectors in using hydrogen generated from fossil fuels, this must be a...
Jeremy Miles: ..., and Education Committee regarding provisions dealing with consent for the passage of funds to collaborating bodies. At Stage 2 I explained that removing these provisions in their entirety would not be appropriate as there remains a need to ensure funding passing from directly funded providers to other bodies is subject to appropriate controls. Ensuring that we have a general consent...
Jane Hutt: ...across Wales. Just to say, in terms of part of Wales's recovery from the pandemic, we've been working in partnership with the third sector partnership council, which I chair. There's cross-sectoral representation there from across community and voluntary third sector groups. I think the recovery plan is important, and it helps us as I respond to this debate, because as a result of the...
Rhianon Passmore: 8. What representations has the Welsh Government made to the UK Government about the impact on Welsh farming of the delayed introduction of European Union import checks? OQ58277
Russell George: ...I took the health brief on, and before my role on the Health and Social Care Committee, I would have had little understanding of myself. But certainly, I appreciate the need for the plan. I'm not overly impressed with the quality statement itself, but the women's health plan that will flow from that I certainly look forward to in the autumn. When it comes to the Health and Social Care...
Jane Hutt: ...and I do welcome that question. Indeed, if you look at the anti-racist action plan for Wales, it covers every department of the Welsh Government, with actions and goals. So, clearly, that includes not just health but health and social care as well. So, the goals, as far as the Wales NHS are concerned, are that it should be and must be anti-racist, and staff should be able to work in safe,...
Jane Hutt: ...22 June, reinforcing our concerns. Last week, we had an excellent cross-party group, chaired by Sioned Williams, on human rights. The voice from civil society was so strong, as well as cross-party representation, making clear their concerns about the Bill, and, of course, that spreads well beyond Government—absolute rejection of all the consultation responses that came out against the...
Mick Antoniw: .... We have had, of course, the Bellamy review. I met with Lord Bellamy, and we discussed the improvements that he is proposing in respect of criminal legal aid. Some improvements have been not only recommended, but it has been indicated by the UK Government that they will be implemented. Of course, Lord Bellamy is now a justice Minister, but it's profoundly disappointing that the UK...
