David Rees: What discussions has the Counsel General had with UK Ministers on the role that Wales will play in negotiations on the future relationship with the EU?
David Rees: I'll keep mine short as well, Minister. You didn't actually answer the question about Godre'r Graig, which I think is important, because I also hope that you'll congratulate Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council for taking decisive action, because no-one wants to put their child at risk, and this report identified a risk that had to be addressed very quickly. But my other question is...
David Rees: Can I thank the Minister for his statement this afternoon? It's very much appreciated. I know we've often said that we keep hearing it, but it is important we keep being updated, particularly in a world in which what was said yesterday may no longer be valid today, and it is very fluid—not quite topsy-turvy, but moving very fast, changing very quickly—and I also appreciate the fact that...
David Rees: Minister, clean air, pollution matters and emissions can be helped by planning departments. I understand your answer to Leanne Wood earlier on in saying environmental issues can't be addressed on a sole basis, but the Government can actually help by putting some guidance in place, particularly when it comes to written things like emissions in any applications. If we want to reduce emissions...
David Rees: Diolch, Llywydd. I've brought forward this statement today in order to give the Assembly an update on our priorities for Brexit for the remaining months of 2019, and hopefully to take some of the politics out of this as well. Members might have heard this said before many times at various points during the Brexit process, but nevertheless we are entering a critical phase between now and 31...
David Rees: Which brings me to the challenges of the next three to four months. And it is important that we discuss this today, because we are going to have recess on Friday, a new Prime Minister will come into force next week, he will form a new Government, and we will not be returning until mid September. A lot can happen in that time. Businesses in Wales lack clarity on our future trading...
David Rees: Can I thank David for his contribution, and particularly for his kind words at the start of that? Just to inform everybody, I have received apologies from the Counsel General. I do agree that perhaps Ministers are Brexited-out a little bit, but it is an important area that we need to ensure—. And, to be fair to them, it's quite right that Ministers have never shied away from coming to the...
David Rees: I thank Delyth for her contribution and the points she's made. I think the opportunity costs are something that we should be looking at, because I don't hear any Brexiteers challenging the costs that have been put towards leaving the EU, other than the divorce bill. But there are additional costs behind that. We all talked in the referendum about the costs of being in the EU, but we don't get...
David Rees: Llywydd, I welcome the last point made by the leader of the Brexit Party in the Assembly, because it is important that people understand that, hopefully—everyone—and that when they use language in debates, they continue to use that same language that people are welcome, that they're not foreigners, that they are individuals who are here and who are here to help and work with us. So, I...
David Rees: Can I thank the Member for his comments? I also want to praise the fact of the experience he brings to the committee in understanding the workings particularly in the inter-governmental relationships side of issues and how we need to address the weaknesses that are starting to show as a consequence of Brexit and the realisation of, without the EU, what devolution actually now does mean....
David Rees: Then, can I thank all Members for their contributions? Can I also put on record my appreciation of the clerking team, because they do tremendous work, and this has been very complex—it's not just the clerking team; it's the team representing the Assembly in Brussels as well, the research team. They do a tremendous amount of work and, when you consider the to-ing and fro-ing that's going on,...
David Rees: I'm standing this afternoon and I'm agreeing with a lot of what's been said by Members across the Chamber. We all have experience among constituents, and we actually have a father who has identified here experiencing his own situation. If you know Hefin David, you will know that he is telling it from the heart, and telling it as it is. We need to ensure that the services are right. Let's...
David Rees: This afternoon I want to focus my contribution on the actual motion, which has two components: one, the undemocratic processes that have been adopted by the UK Government and Prime Minister, and the second one, the impact of a 'no deal' Brexit upon the people we represent here. And when I hear contributions—and I've just heard one—where people simply ask the question, 'Why have we been...
David Rees: Llywydd, I'll highlight the fact that there are real impacts upon people in this debate. Dai Lloyd's contribution highlighted some of the points. He talked about the issues our constituents will be facing if a 'no deal' happens. Let me talk first of all about the impact upon our work of proroguing Parliament, work already undertaken in this institution by committees of the institution,...
David Rees: I’m more than happy to take a representation.
David Rees: Well, I’ve just heard a total lack of understanding of the whole business of the steel industry. If you want to talk about the loss of jobs, talk about Margaret Thatcher who damaged and devastated the steel industry and the coal industry. It’s not about the EU—it was a UK Tory, right-wing Government that did that damage, and it’s doing the same now. So, I’m going to ask...
David Rees: 1. What discussions has the Welsh Government had with counterparts in the UK Government about the future of the steel industry in Wales? OAQ54303
David Rees: Thank you for that answer, First Minister. You rightly point out that the UK Government needs to play its part. It hasn't even done a steel sector deal yet. The previous Secretary of State and the current Secretary of State seem to be oblivious to the importance of addressing this issue of our steel sector. Now, as you know, Port Talbot steelworks is crucial to my constituency. Many...
David Rees: Minister, can I add my voice to the last question by Leanne Wood in relation to the Rhondda Tunnel Society and the Rhondda tunnel ownership? I won't go any further because you've already answered the question, but I do put my voice to that call. Can I ask for three statements, if possible? The first one is on the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008. Now, earlier this year Neath Port Talbot...
David Rees: Can I thank the Minister for his statement? I also thank the Welsh Government for their action plan that was published yesterday. At least we here in the Assembly have an opportunity to actually scrutinise the Government on its action plan, unlike our colleagues in Westminster who've been blocked from scrutinising the work on Yellowhammer. Minister, it's all well and good saying—. You know,...
