Rhun ap Iorwerth: 'Principle' is the important word today, and I will begin by confirming that I do agree with that fundamental principle underpinning this Bill—that there is scope to look at financial incentives in order to reduce dangerous use of alcohol. Alcohol costs us a great deal as a society. It costs lives, and when you have evidence before you suggesting that this Bill, if it would become an Act,...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Certainly.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Both are actually useful, and we're slightly lacking on both fronts—either theoretical modelling or evidence.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: As I was saying, we need to persuade the public of the fairness and effectiveness of what we are trying to do here. We need to look in detail at this conclusion that introducing this Bill would only cost £3 per annum for a moderate drinker—£3 per annum. We can’t ignore scenarios where this legislation could have a great deal more of an effect on moderate drinkers who have a lower income...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I have no question.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Diolch, Llywydd. I'd like to begin, if I could, by correcting some comments made yesterday by the leader of the Conservatives, who claimed the ambulance waiting times in Wales were improving. In fact, the median response times to red calls are worse this winter than last winter—fewer are arriving within the target eight minutes. When it comes to amber calls, almost half are now taking...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I agree entirely that we need a whole-service approach. I'm saying that the whole system is broken and it's the ambulances and paramedics and call centre staff who are having to bear the brunt. And you say you're meeting targets; there are no targets for amber calls and that's a part of the problem. Behind the statistics, though, we must remember are some truly shocking stories. Let me...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: You should be embarrassed. You should be embarrassed. How dare you? How dare you?
Rhun ap Iorwerth: How dare you say that I should be embarrassed? How dare you say that I should be embarrassed for suggesting that your system is broken? It is NHS staff on the front line, be it in ambulances or in accident and emergency units, who are telling me that the system is broken. You're in charge of the system, and we want a better system for the patients that deserve that, frankly, here in Wales....
Rhun ap Iorwerth: —and listen to their demands? Both paramedics on the road and control room staff, they need to be engaged with, they've got ideas, they're the ones on the front line, they deserve to be listened to.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Formally.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Formally moved.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Will you take an intervention?
Rhun ap Iorwerth: You've already said something I disagree with. [Laughter.]
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I count myself as being very lucky to be living on the island where I was brought up. I have lived in Cardiff, I have lived in London, I have spent time working overseas, but I chose to return to Anglesey around 13 years ago, and it does mean a lot to me. Everyone is different, of course. Wherever you are in the world, there are young people who can't wait to leave their square mile, who want...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Will the First Minister make a statement on the availability of mp-MRI tests to patients in north Wales?
Rhun ap Iorwerth: 1. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on work to clear Holyhead port following storm Emma? OAQ51938
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much for that response. There are two parts to my question, I suppose—the first looking back and the other looking forward. And, in looking back, I think there are some serious questions about the speed of the response to what happened in Holyhead. I asked a topical question five or six days after the event, and what you said was:
Rhun ap Iorwerth: 'You say that it's been a grave environmental impact...questions haven't been raised with me about our response...There is a north Wales standing environment group, of which my officials are members...if you are saying that there is a grave environmental situation...I will want to know why that hasn't been brought together'.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I think it's quite clear that there was, and remains, a grave environmental issue. So, perhaps you could update us on whether, on reflection, there was a missed opportunity to get in early to deal with the environmental impacts of what's happened. And what lessons have been learned, in terms of making sure that, if there's disagreement about who exactly should take over, Welsh Government can...
