Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Thank you very much, Llywydd. Claire Clancy has filled the post of chief executive and clerk of the Assembly in a dignified and warm way. It is most appropriate for us to pay a worthy tribute to her today, as she has done more than achieve the commitments she made upon appointment, and that feels like yesterday to me, although it was 10 years ago. Through her service to this Assembly, she has...
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Well, I find myself in a very unexpected situation—I agree with every word that David Rowlands said, and regret the negative attitude coming from other directions, and the Minister already knows that. But may I just ask two questions? Firstly, the fact that the Minister has accepted the recommendations made by the steering group, chaired by the excellent Justin Albert, having got to know...
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: 6. When will the First Minister meet with the First Ministers of the UK’s other devolved governments to discuss their relationship with the EU? OAQ(5)0580(FM)[W]
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Wouldn’t the First Minister agree that these tripartite discussions are more important than ever, given what’s contained within this White Paper with a sky-blue cover on exiting the European Union, produced by the UK Government, which mentions the situation post Brexit that the powers that the EU currently has in terms of common frameworks will return to the UK, allowing the rules to be...
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: First of all, Julie, it is so typical of you and of Rhodri that you should be with us in your place today. And we thank you for being here, because it enables us to address you warmly, as I do on the part of my own long-standing, and Mair’s, friendship with you and the family, going back so many years. Fe weithiais i y tro cyntaf gyda Rhodri Morgan pan gafodd o ei ethol i Dŷ’r Cyffredin...
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Thank you for the intervention. As a fellow member of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee, I’m sure you realise that there is no way to bring forward any subordinate legislation in Westminster that impacts on this place without this committee discussing it, and introducing a report to this place.
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: I’m grateful to him for making the reference to the 1970s, because I also remember this period extremely well. I was in the bar the very night—[Laughter.]—the two Irish colleagues, Gerry Fitt and Frank Maguire, arrived to abstain in person. But the difference, surely, is this: that, in this case, this deal is being made with a massive subvention totally outwith the normal constitutional...
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: May I thank the First Minister for his attempt to explain to this Assembly and to the people of Wales what the UK Government have been endeavouring to do? But could he just assist me a little further? Can he tell this Assembly how soon was he given notice of the intention of the UK Government to legislate in this particular way? Because what bugs me—as we say in Llanrwst—is why the...
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Would the First Minister agree that we are facing the decisions of two referendums that conflict with each other? First of all, the referendum to leave the European Union—the result was clear, but by a small majority. But there is another important referendum for us in this place, which is the referendum that was held in 2011, when the people of Wales voted to add legal powers to the powers...
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: As someone who represented the north-west of north Wales I was delighted when Carl appeared to represent the north-east of north Wales, because one of the great tricks, as colleagues will know, in the north of Wales, is getting us all to work together. But if there was ever a problem, the Sarge would solve it. We had a marvellous time on the north Wales express train, and we must keep that...
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: He doesn't understand the constitution, that's why.
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: I do want to intervene. I’m eager to intervene. I do have a problem, Llywydd, and I would like your assistance on this. It’s not a parliamentary convention in this house or in the other house to discuss different functions. It confuses advice.
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: What's wrong with you today?
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Thank you very much, Llywydd. It is a particular pleasure for me to make my first statement—hopefully not the last—as Minister, on the future of Cadw. Earlier this year, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport provided an update on the recommendations of the steering group report, 'Historic Wales—A roadmap towards Success, Resilience and Sustainability for the Heritage of...
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Thank you very much for your kind congratulations and for your seven subsequent questions. When I was undertaking a previous role in this Assembly, I took the view that Ministers generally would have done very well to answer two and a half. So, I will try, if I can, to respond to what you've said. What we are looking for in Government and what we are hoping and confident that Cadw will...
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Thank you very much for those questions. In terms of admission prices, our intention consistently is to retain a balance between open access, as far as possible—and free access to organisations and institutions such as museums—and the right or opportunity of citizens who live near significant monuments—. You will be aware of the situation in Caernarfon, as am I, where admission prices...
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Thank you for your very kind remarks, and I remember with affection your period in Government, but I don't think it would be appropriate for me standing where I am today to refer back to that. But you have indeed understood the function of Cadw very clearly, and this is what we are seeking to ensure develops under our announcement and our proposals today. As regards recruitment, if Cadw is...
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Thank you, Mike, for your kind remarks. And then you seek to lead me right down into a western bog, I think, somewhere near to your constituency. It is not for Ministers to make decisions about listing. It is not for Ministers to make decisions about what local authorities should do in this area either. I think we need to look for partnerships. I'm not going to talk about the planning aspects...
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Again, thank you for your very kind remarks. It is always a pleasure to hear you expound the delights of the heritage, especially of the north, where, as you know, I still spend as much time as I can and continue to do so. In fact, I will be working out of the office in Llandudno Junction this week, and I hope that we can meet there perhaps in future. But I'm not going to engage with the...
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Thank you very much for that question. The Welsh Government, through Cadw, strives for an accessible, well-protected historic environment for Wales. In addition to the newly improved local residents pass, it will introduce new schemes to further promote access to its monuments, to avoid admission prices being a barrier for Welsh residents and under-represented audiences.
