Mabon ap Gwynfor: Those were the Minister's words in giving evidence to us, that she was not afraid to use the powers she had. But, after years of failed delivery, it's hard to understand why these powers haven't already been used to date. So, to conclude, I'd like the Minister to explain under what circumstances she would be willing to use these powers. Thank you.
Mabon ap Gwynfor: I'd just like to quickly thank Cefin for bringing this debate forward again. It's good to hear this discussed on the floor of the Senedd and to see recognition of the work of the Local Government and Housing Committee. I wanted to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the inspiring father of community enterprises in Wales, the late Carl Clowes, who passed away earlier this year. Carl...
Mabon ap Gwynfor: I thank the Minister for bringing forward these regulations today. They've been a long time coming. This Act has developed to be something of a joke, in truth, over recent years. The truth is that the Government and the Labour Party in particular should be asking very serious questions of themselves about how we got to this point and why they pushed through legislation back in 2016 that was...
Mabon ap Gwynfor: I've raised the need for the establishment of a consultative group a number of times, and I was pleased that this new group had met back in July. I've also raised the need to establish a funding scheme on a number of occasions. So, I'm pleased that the consultative group has noted the fisheries funding as a priority, and we have waited too long already for this statement today, but having...
Mabon ap Gwynfor: Today's regulations around funding for fisheries are described as a replacement for the EMFF, which was a targeted funding programme. So, is the Minister convinced that the Wales marine and fisheries scheme makes the same targeted interventions to support Welsh fishing, seafood and aquaculture businesses? We're already nearly a year behind the other countries and constituent parts of the UK...
Mabon ap Gwynfor: Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd. It was good to see you in the winter fair on Monday, and it was a great opportunity to catch up with some of the farmers and listen to their concerns. You'll know as well as others that one of the most important things that did come up was the avian flu. That's a huge concern, and we clearly welcome the mandatory housing measures that you've brought in, or will...
Mabon ap Gwynfor: Thank you for that response.
Mabon ap Gwynfor: Thanks for that. Okay. Moving on to fisheries, if I may, the 2012 fisheries concordat sets out how the UK's quota allocation is divided between the four administrations, and provides overarching principles on effort control and licensing. One key element covered by the concordat is the set of conditions associated with the economic link. The economic link is a fisheries licence condition. It...
Mabon ap Gwynfor: Thank you to Jack Sargeant for bringing forward this debate on the petition on the Elenydd mountains and the area down to the Mallaen mountain. I'm going to state today that we sympathise with the principle of protecting our land, particularly the nature and environment part of that land, but we mustn't forget the people and communities living there too. It's a concern that we've seen a...
Mabon ap Gwynfor: 6. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to tackle fuel poverty in Dwyfor Meirionnydd? OQ58835
Mabon ap Gwynfor: Thank you very much, Minister, for that response.
Mabon ap Gwynfor: With a hard winter now starting to bite, energy companies must prioritise the needs of vulnerable customers struggling to pay their bills, and so, I must admit to feeling very angry when I read the research by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets that found that three energy suppliers—TruEnergy, Utilita Energy and Scottish Power—were found to demonstrate severe weaknesses in the way...
Mabon ap Gwynfor: Thank you, Llywydd. I understand that you've agreed to group questions 3 and 5, but if I could follow on from my colleague Peredur with his question—
Mabon ap Gwynfor: I will do that, therefore.
Mabon ap Gwynfor: 3. What assessment has the Counsel General made of the implications for Wales of the Supreme Court ruling regarding Scotland's right to call a referendum on its constitutional future? OQ58827
Mabon ap Gwynfor: Thank you for that response. Well, back in March 2021, the First Minister said—and I'm going to quote in English:
Mabon ap Gwynfor: 'We have to demonstrate to people how we can recraft the UK in a way that recognises it as a voluntary association of four nations, in which we choose to pool our sovereignty for common purposes and for common benefits.'
Mabon ap Gwynfor: Those were the words of Mark Drakeford. So, following the Supreme Court that stated that Scotland cannot legislate to hold a referendum on its own constitutional future, and that the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the leader of the opposition there, Keir Starmer, have declared that they won't allow Scotland to hold an independence referendum, does the Counsel General believe that...
Mabon ap Gwynfor: 7. What assessment has the Counsel General made of whether the legislative consent process is fit for purpose? OQ58836
Mabon ap Gwynfor: I thank the Counsel General for that response. I agree with your opening sentence: that legislation for Wales should be made in Wales, and there should be a full stop there. I've been an elected Member of this Senedd for 18 months now, but already—and it pains me to say this—I am losing confidence in the devolution process as it's currently being implemented here at the moment. It is...
