Huw Irranca-Davies: I rise because she’s raised the representations that the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee has made, and that invitation still stands, by the way. The reason it stands is because, in the spirit of the constructive engagement made by the First Minister, by opposition leaders, and also by the Presiding Officer—even to the extent of suggesting amendments—we genuinely feel we...
Huw Irranca-Davies: It was fascinating the other day, First Minister, to see a representation made by 35 Conservative MPs saying we should seize this opportunity to look anew, post 2020, at how we actually use what they termed ‘public funds’ for public gains as well, such as environmental gains, flood alleviation, and so on. The immediate issue is Brexit and making sure we work with farmers to get what’s...
Huw Irranca-Davies: ...: because the Welsh Government is so focused on biodiversity, could she give some assurance to us today that, at the forthcoming Cancun convention on biological diversity, there will be a strong representation from the Welsh Government there, either in person, ideally, or, if not, by senior officials?
Huw Irranca-Davies: .... The Government’s own pilot areas are showing that it is an unmitigated disaster and it is driving young women, but also all people, into poverty. Could I ask the First Minister what further representations he can make to the UK Government? Because the impact in all of our communities is going to be significant.
Huw Irranca-Davies: ...who is looking to see the right care package—the right package of support and advice for them—but they also, of course, have the right to advocacy as well, and they also have the right to make representations when they don't think the right package has been put forward for them. All of those places are not only there in terms of the legislation, but also the codes as well. Now, if...
Huw Irranca-Davies: .... First, have we picked up with regard to the drive towards increasing standards in residential sectors—is it having any impact, anecdotally? I am having the occasional piece of correspondence or representation from individual Assembly Members, which the care inspectorate is trying to deal with sympathetically. I know I convey any concerns from individual Members directly to them and...
Huw Irranca-Davies: ... for deciding the precise nature of local service delivery, depending on local circumstances and identified needs within their own areas. So, with that in mind, and hearing the strong representations that he has made this evening, and the celebration of the work of Dads Can, I urge the Member for Monmouthshire to liaise with the local authority to understand whether Dads Can, or similar...
Huw Irranca-Davies: The ministerial advisory group has representation from all senior leaders and organisations with an involvement in children’s services. The group has been instrumental in advising me on, and co-producing, the improving outcomes for children work programme, and I'm pleased our partners are actively involved in this work. In fact, I attended the last ministerial advisory group meeting, and I...
Huw Irranca-Davies: ...on Ford Bridgend in the near future, and at least before the summer recess, which would allow the Minister to update us on progress with the taskforce, and in particular in reference to the representations made to ensure that in the event of closure, the pensions and the redundancies are at least equal to those offered to Ford workers before, in the UK or in any plant in Europe, and that...
Huw Irranca-Davies: ...the continuation of all-women shortlists. I know all-women shortlists are controversial, they're not everybody's cup of tea, but they've been a necessary tool actually in extending diversity within representation. So, we still do need that in place there. We need other measures as well, but that needs to be there. I welcome the fact as well that it's accepted as a priority that the Welsh...
Huw Irranca-Davies: ...our existing powers, let alone powers that we are not using at the moment, or any future powers, if we choose not to undertake further reform that could increase the capacity and the diversity of representation to fully reflect this, our nation, our Senedd of Wales. We've already heard evidence on this and it was fascinating to hear what those organisations that regularly engage with us...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Minister, I welcome that comment that not every farm does pollute. I've had representations from farmers in my own constituency, which, as you know, is predominantly characterised by smaller family farms with a mixture of sheep and livestock and some arable, and they're also characterised by that greater biodiversity, which typically does come with smaller, mixed farms. Now, they share the...
Huw Irranca-Davies: ..., could we have a statement from the Welsh Government on their position on safeguarding the right of the people of Wales to see, free of charge, our rugby heroes in the six nations, and what representations you can make to influence the upcoming contract negotiations? And by the way, our best wishes to Wales taking on Ireland in Dublin next week after a great start against Italy.
Huw Irranca-Davies: ...social care workers from working in the UK could mean that some of the most vulnerable people, including those living with cancer, suffer the consequences'. How would he respond to that, and what representations will he be making to the UK Government?
Huw Irranca-Davies: .... It is a working-class tradition in Wales, and that's why we are desperate to see this decision not take place and that it disappears behind a pay wall. So, could I ask him: could he make those representations, picking up the lead that he made to the UK Government, that they should now change the way that these decisions are made and that they are not made by UK Ministers alone? When they...
Huw Irranca-Davies: 3. What legal representations has the Counsel General made on behalf of the Welsh Government regarding inter-governmental structures within the UK? OQ55360
Huw Irranca-Davies: ...by 14 per cent, and this is raising the worry that it's actually that victims are being pushed further out of sight and away from seeking help. So, can I ask our Welsh Government to make formal representations to UK Ministers, to first of all give the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority the resources to do their job, as they are at full stretch already, and also to urge UK Ministers to...
Huw Irranca-Davies: ...at the earliest opportunity, and that new or revised proposals would be subject to public consultation. So, could I ask, Minister, would that consultation also take into account any further representations by the Children's Commissioner for Wales or by child and safeguarding organisations on how these proposals—recognising they're primarily focused on educational support—can also...
Huw Irranca-Davies: ...on the size of the Senedd was compelling and clear and remarkably consistent—that the Senedd is currently too small and should increase to between 80 and 90 Members to improve our governance and representation, enhance our scrutiny and our oversight of the Welsh Government, and deliver more effective policy, more efficient spending and better legislation. On electoral reform, and again...
Huw Irranca-Davies: ...communities that we represent. And I commend the leadership that is being shown by the First Minister and by Welsh Government, represented by my own party of Welsh Labour, of course, but also with representation from the Welsh Liberal Democrats and an independent member of the Government, who have come to a difficult but collective decision on the best way forward for Wales and the people...
