Rhun ap Iorwerth: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Some questions initially on preparations for an increased intensity of outbreak, and it's important to put those preparations in place. We know from international experience that critical care capacity could become very, very important here. I've been looking at some figures today that show that critical care beds per 100,000 people in the UK is low, compared with...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Capacity will be needed in other areas too, below critical care. I fear the loss of community hospitals will be something that we rue, somewhat, in coming months. We will perhaps need to build capacity for isolation, for example, and I can relay to you the offer made by one hotel owner, for example, offering a hotel to be used, perhaps as somewhere where people can be isolated. Are there...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: And a short collection of questions, just to finish off. We know that Italy reached the point where they needed, or felt they needed, a nationwide lockdown. I'd appreciate just an idea of the kinds of plans that are being put in place, initially perhaps, for local lockdowns, and what preparations are being made for that. Secondly, on 111, and the telephone triaging that is going on at the...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. A few questions on coronavirus and the preparations for that. In terms of the pressures on health and care services specifically, could you give us some idea of the kinds of discussions that have been happening between the Minister for Health and Social Services and yourself in order to ensure that the appropriate resources are made available,...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much, and I would appreciate updates on the resources that are being released, along with updates on the steps in terms of safeguarding people's health. That point is centrally important, of course: we can't look at some model that would share funds according to population, because different parts of the UK could be hit very differently by COVID-19. Moving, then, from the...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: And, finally, sticking with the budget, and with the Chancellor indicating that the UK Government will be launching a fundamental review of business rates, we're certainly of the view that we need a fundamental review, and we wish that we could have moved quicker in Wales. We've had review after review; I'm sure the time should have come some time ago for some action to be taken. As part of...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer, and I’m pleased to be able to move this motion today. It is presented and written in a way that we hoped would have been able to attract cross-party support, quite similar to the last debate. I do understand that the Government is intending to support our motion as well, so we have an opportunity today to make a united statement as a Senedd as...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: These are core questions. Cricket has been through a period of looking at itself and how it pays for itself, and look what's happened to audiences for cricket. I'll quote from the author Gideon Haigh, who asked, 'Does cricket make money in order to exist, or does it exist to make money?' It's always about finding the balance.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I’ll continue. Going to a pub isn’t always an option for everyone, and certainly not for young people, for example. It’s not for people with mobility problems and people who don’t want to be in big crowds of people. Yes, in rugby clubs around Wales we do show the game and we can carry on doing that, but that’s for people who already have an interest in the game. We, as a party, have...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: 'Wales matches in the Six Nations Rugby Championship should be listed in Wales only…The Panel was persuaded of the "special national resonance" of rugby union in Wales.'
Rhun ap Iorwerth: And we only need to look at the viewing figures, not just for specific games, but how many people generally who watch six nations games—82 per cent of the population of Wales. That figure is astonishing, and it does show how much this game is integrated in our specific culture in Wales. I could talk about another specifically Welsh issue—the threat to Welsh language broadcasting of the...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I love sport. I love taking part in sport and watching it. I love following and watching our national football and rugby teams. We in Wales love our sport. It permeates deep into our national psyche, our culture. Football—Euro 2016 was a wonderful experience, and I look forward to many similar experiences through football again. But as an annual competition, there's something about the six...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much. There’s not much else to say, in all truth, but thank you very much, everyone, for your comments, and thank you for the support that you will be giving today. I’m very grateful for the commitment by the Minister that he will send a copy of the Record of Proceedings of this meeting, and the unanimous vote, hopefully, to the UK Government, as well as to the WRU. In...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: 'The public is the most important part of the jigsaw when it comes to viewing rights. We must act in the best interests of the people of Wales.'
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Amen to that. Let’s vote unanimously on this.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Diolch yn fawr iawn. Can I place on record Plaid Cymru's gratitude to front-line workers in the health and care sector and elsewhere for their work at this challenging time? Can I also thank those who are working within their communities, setting up community groups and helping some of the most vulnerable people loving among us? They should be supported in that work.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: So, thank you very much.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you, all. First Minister, Plaid Cymru supports the strengthened guidelines that were announced yesterday. We'd called for firmer measures; we'll work with you at these unprecedented times. But it is, of course, important that we continue to scrutinise the Welsh Government's approach. In that spirit, can you give clear guidance, firstly, on testing policy? Will you commit to follow...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Diolch. I recognise certainly the role played by SAGE, but I would appeal for the recognition of particular Welsh demographic factors when it comes to measuring the need here in Wales. So, perhaps one of big unanswered questions now. It looks increasingly likely that school closures is now a matter of 'when' not 'if'; for teachers and parents the question of 'when' obviously is very, very...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Finally, as well as being a health risk, this is also developing into an extremely worrying time financially for individuals and businesses. One small business in my constituency has already reported revenue losses of £120,000—a small business—as a direct result of the virus. Another sees costs and losses mounting for his business to the extent that he can't see how he can afford to buy...
