Darren Millar: So, from that answer, Minister, I gather that you simply shared the document with them, rather than actually had any meaningful engagement with the UK Government prior to you actually publishing that document. Do you accept that, on the one hand, you can't bang on about the need for mutual respect between two Governments when you aren't giving the Government of the United Kingdom a heads-up...
Darren Millar: You say that it's an absolute necessity to put these things in writing and to publish this document—a document that is not dissimilar, of course, to the first edition of the document that was published two years ago. Why on earth does the Welsh Government think that now is an appropriate time to be discussing the future of the union, when we've just come through a very difficult period with...
Darren Millar: I don't—
Darren Millar: I haven't actually; I've had two.
Darren Millar: I've had two.
Darren Millar: Did I really?
Darren Millar: You'll have to await the punchline from the next instalment. [Laughter.]
Darren Millar: Are you sure I've had three? [Interruption.] I don't believe you, but I'll check.
Darren Millar: It's all right; I'm prepared to accept it.
Darren Millar: Minister, one of the concerns that have been raised with me by tourism and hospitality businesses has been the lack of financial support for those businesses whose staff are required to self-isolate—often very small businesses indeed. For example, I had a pub in my own constituency recently where one member of staff tested positive for the coronavirus and, as a result, all of the members of...
Darren Millar: Minister, can I call for a statement on biodiversity and its protection in relation to felling in Welsh Government-owned forests? So, I've been contacted, as the red squirrel champion, regarding the felling of 17 acres of Pentraeth Forest on Anglesey. This is much to the consternation of the red squirrel enthusiasts—the Red Squirrel Survival Trust and red squirrel experts like Dr Craig...
Darren Millar: Touché, touché. Touché, touché.
Darren Millar: But the point of the matter is we need ministerial intervention to prevent this felling from taking place, and to swap the felling area for another coup that doesn't threaten this particular important and iconic Welsh species.
Darren Millar: What action is the Welsh Government taking to tackle patient waiting times in North Wales?
Darren Millar: I move.
Darren Millar: First Minister, we all know that Rhys ab Owen and his colleagues on the Plaid benches would not be raising such objections if this was y ddraig goch that was going to be erected in this UK Government building. But it happens to be a union flag, which, of course, is the flag of the United Kingdom, something of which I am proud to be a citizen. Can I ask you what action the Welsh Government is...
Darren Millar: Trefnydd, can I call for two statements today from the Welsh Government—the first from the Minister for health? And that is in relation to the pressures that are currently being faced by hospitals in north Wales. I had a briefing yesterday with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, and was told that, because of the staycation market being so significant, and north Wales being such a...
Darren Millar: Can I say that I welcome the fact that you've made this statement to the Chamber today rather than to the media first? I think that some of your colleagues have a lot to learn from you, Minister. As we've said in the past, we don't believe that there's a public appetite for this to be a priority at the moment, but we accept that the Welsh Government has different views, and that's why you've...
Darren Millar: Can I welcome the statement today? I'm a major tree enthusiast like you, and I think it's absolutely wonderful that there's this national ambitious target that is now being set. Can I thank the Welsh Government as well for the grants that it made available through Keep Wales Tidy and the Woodland Trust for the planting of a tiny forest in Kinmel Bay in my constituency, which has spurred the...
Darren Millar: 1. Will the Minister make a statement on investment in flood defences in Clwyd West? OQ56764