Mandy Jones: This is fun today, isn't it? [Interruption.]
Mandy Jones: My turn to speak, sorry. I stand today with deep concerns about this motion. In 2016 we had a national debate, we had a democratic vote and the people voted to leave the European Union. It is our job as elected representatives to implement the will of the people. We must always remember that Government is the servant of the people not the master.
Mandy Jones: No, I won't—this is short. This debate, it seems to me, is about much more than the prospect of leaving the European Union. We are, in effect, asking the people of Wales to think again. That's wrong. [Interruption.] Yes, and they voted leave. Asking Wales to think again, this could start a dangerous precedent, and you lot know it. Let’s look back at the 1997 referendum on devolution....
Mandy Jones: Thank you, Llywydd. [Interruption.] I wouldn't. The new leader of Plaid Cymru, quite rightly, in my view, spoke after his election about the significant number of challenges Wales faces, and yet he’s decided that his first valuable Assembly time debate will be to insult the people of Wales because they don’t share his view on the EU. This time could be much better spent discussing...
Mandy Jones: 3. Will the First Minister make a statement on animal welfare in North Wales? OAQ52723
Mandy Jones: Thank you for that answer, First Minister. Finn's law is currently making its way through the UK Parliament's legislative process. This law proposes to give special status to service animals, like police dogs and horses, where they are harmed and removes the wiggle room around unnecessary suffering available to perpetrators under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. I understand this...
Mandy Jones: 7. What consideration does the Cabinet Secretary give to supporting the eradication of homelessness in allocating funding to the local government and public services portfolio? OAQ52726
Mandy Jones: Thank you for that answer. Cabinet Secretary, I return today to the matter of rough sleeping; it is not going away. Indeed, we heard yesterday that 65 rough sleepers have died in the last year in the UK. I know that Wrexham has previously been reported as having the highest number of rough sleepers in Wales. Last week, my staff attended the launch of a prototype sleep pod in Newport, designed...
Mandy Jones: 2. Will the Leader of the House make a statement on the development of 5G in North Wales? OAQ52727
Mandy Jones: Thank you for that answer. I note from a headline last week that Welsh Government has commissioned advice on the roll-out of 5G in Wales. I hear terms like 'superfast' and 'ultrafast' and, frankly, the mobile coverage and broadband speeds in my region don't seem to live up to either of those names. Can you tell me whether 5G will enable a uniformity of service and speed across my region, or...
Mandy Jones: Diolch, Llywydd. I stand today, like last week, to express my frustration and disappointment. Once again, I feel the need to point out that our time—in fact, the people of Wales's time—could be much better spent. I have no doubt that these feelings will be echoed across my region. Let's take a little reality check. Winter is coming. Some people in Wales will be facing a hard winter living...
Mandy Jones: No, I won't. How Members today can justify paving the way to increasing the number of Members of this institution, and yet, at the same time, argue against reducing the number of MPs, shows how the jobs-for-the-boys culture is alive and well in politics today. The taxpayer in Wales already pays for too many politicians. Scotland—[Interruption.] Scotland has around double the population of...
Mandy Jones: 1. What is the Welsh Government's plan for bringing Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board out of special measures? OAQ52790
Mandy Jones: Thank you for that answer. Cabinet Secretary, the north Wales health board has been in special measures since June 2015. At that time, we were told that the action taken reflected serious and outstanding concerns about the leadership, governance and progress of the health board. Cabinet Secretary, I'm grateful for the update you provided around the three-year anniversary of special measures,...
Mandy Jones: What action is the health service in North Wales taking in preparation for winter?
Mandy Jones: Will the First Minister outline the Welsh Government's vision for the further education sector in North Wales?
Mandy Jones: 3. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on cancer outcomes in North Wales? OAQ52938
Mandy Jones: Thank you. Cabinet Secretary, cancer does not discriminate. Gender, race or sexuality, cancer is not choosy. We are seeing that, increasingly, cancer doesn't discriminate against age either, and yet currently smear tests for cervical cancer start at age 25. By reducing the age of smear tests and cervical screening, we can save lives. We can tackle cell changes earlier and prevent cervical...
Mandy Jones: 7. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the performance of Transport for Wales? OAQ52986
Mandy Jones: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. I've listened carefully to the Government's statement on Transport for Wales and recognise the difficulties of the transition. Yesterday, the Leader of the House and Chief Whip indicated that Transport for Wales is looking to introduce something similar to Transport for London's Oyster card—something that I welcome. This sounds like a real win for commuters....
