David Rowlands: I wish to deal primarily with the first petition mentioned in this debate, which is on the closing of gyms. It is an undisputed fact that a person's overall health condition is one of the most important factors in their being able to deal with infections of all kinds, including COVID-19. We have been told for many years to keep fit and exercise in order to ward off ill health. It is an...
David Rowlands: Can I thank the Deputy Minister for his statement? Just one small disappointment in the Deputy Minister's statement, touched on by Helen Mary Jones, and that is he uses the words, 'accept in principle'. Now, given that the Welsh Government commissioned this report and chose the chair, it's surprising that these words were used at all. However, apart from that mild criticism, it is gratifying...
David Rowlands: Certainly. We have—[Inaudible.]—fast, efficient public transport offer. Given the extraordinary delays we have experienced with regard to action on this massively important transport project, we can only wish Welsh Government well in this—
David Rowlands: Yes—[Inaudible.]
David Rowlands: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'd like to begin my contribution to this debate by restating my continuing thanks to all those in our NHS and other essential services, who are working so hard during these critical times. I also preface my contribution by apologising for the plethora of statistics contained in it, but statistics are being used to enforce the lockdown, so these statistics must be...
David Rowlands: Well, can I thank everyone who has contributed to this debate? But, as usual, of course, the true facts and the figures have been ignored, especially by the health Minister. I have put the facts and the figures, and they are incontrovertible. The lockdown's a result of the UK Government's total mishandling of the COVID-19 threat. In 2003, SARS, a far more deadly and dangerous disease, was...
David Rowlands: As stated by the Minister, we acknowledge that the support offered to Welsh businesses has been the most generous of all UK Governments. However, the finances available to Welsh businesses, even with the help of the UK Government, are patently not enough, given the number of businesses across all sectors who are either closing permanently or are shedding jobs at an alarming rate, as evidenced...
David Rowlands: There's no doubt that, initially, the vaccine roll-out in Wales could be said to be tardy, but we have to acknowledge that the Welsh Government very quickly got its act together and the figures show that we are now in advance of both Scotland and Northern Ireland, and very close to figures for England. I will, of course, point out here that we are far in advance of southern Ireland whose...
David Rowlands: What assessment has the Counsel General made of the impact of leaving the EU on Welsh ports?
David Rowlands: What assessment has the First Minister made of the implications of the European Union invoking article 16 in regard to COVID-19 vaccines?
David Rowlands: 7. Will the Minister make a statement on the impact that coronavirus has had on the Welsh Government's annual budget? OQ56287
David Rowlands: Thank you for that answer, Minister. Clearly, the UK Government has access to far greater finances than does the Welsh Government, and it will be very necessary to have those finances to help us recover from the coronavirus. So, can you tell us what discussions you have had or are planning to have with UK Government to support the rebuild of Welsh finances?
David Rowlands: Well, since this topic was previously raised, a number of changes have been made to the limited green space on the estate in order to maximise its biodiversity and well-being value. We grow pears and herbs in the Tŷ Hywel car park, which were regularly used by our catering service before lockdown. We have changed our management of the ground alongside the Senedd, where we now grow a wide...
David Rowlands: Yes, well, thank you, Jenny. I can assure Jenny that we are, of course, open to any new ideas or innovations that either she, or indeed any of the Commission staff, are able to put forward, and I can assure her that the Commission is fully committed to enhancing the estate's green credentials in any way possible.
David Rowlands: Will the Government make a statement condemning the appalling behaviour of the European Commission in banning the import of live bivalve molluscs from the UK? Although they say they are implementing restrictions on all non-European countries, it was agreed that they would not do this in the negotiations that took place prior to Brexit. Even the chairman of the European Parliament Committee on...
David Rowlands: Can I thank the Minister for his statement this afternoon? I'd also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the generous support you've afforded businesses across Wales in the response to COVID-19, again witnessed by the extra £270 million you announced today. But as we all know, despite the Welsh Government's endeavours, there is and will be a catastrophic consequence for the Welsh...
David Rowlands: Can I thank the Deputy Minister for his statement? I can say that I share the Deputy Minister's enthusiasm for the foundational economy, as, indeed, I do for the co-operative movement. I believe they both have the ability not just to provide jobs, but also to create a greater degree of community spirit and aspiration. Whilst I acknowledge that the public sector has a very large part to play...
David Rowlands: It's truly inspiring to welcome representatives of the Youth Parliament for this Plenary session. I'm sure that some of you will aspire to become our future politicians. So, perhaps I can offer a few words of caution if you should do so. First, in whatever endeavours you find yourself involved, try at all times to keep an open mind. Whatever political philosophy you adopt, always be ready to...
David Rowlands: I and my group shall be supporting the Conservative motion. The regulations implementing a blanket set of slurry regulations for the whole of the Welsh farming industry are totally disproportionate, both in cost and implementation. It appears yet again that the many are being punished for the actions of the few. It may also be the case that, even with the few, the majority of pollution...
David Rowlands: Can I add my thanks to those of Helen Mary Jones and Russell George in thanking the Minister for involving me in his deliberations throughout the last five years, both as a spokesperson and after? Can I say that I have the highest respect for your abilities and commitment to your duties as a Minister? As the Minister will know, I have been a keen supporter of the Welsh Government's...
