Huw Irranca-Davies: It's a pleasure to follow on from the last speaker and also from my Chair of the committee, John Griffiths. I stand simply to support all the points that have been made in terms of the report that we brought forward and the recommendations, because I think the report is actually very balanced. It isn't strident or ideological or fixated on a certain end point. It listened very carefully to...
Huw Irranca-Davies: I wonder if the Counsel General and Minister could outline the legal and constitutional consequences of this Chamber, Siambr, not giving its consent to this Bill being railroaded forward by the UK Government. And, could he also explain why this should matter profoundly to the businesses, the farmers, the food producers, the students and the constituents in a constituency like mine of Ogmore?
Huw Irranca-Davies: Minister, can I thank you for the statement and welcome very much the fact that the four-nation conversations have started, but just to ask him is he sure and confident that there will indeed be regular, reliable rhythm to these meetings now, that it is not a one-off? And can I also thank him for the incredibly intense engagement that he's had, not only with Members of the Senedd, but also...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Minister, as we've already heard from these questions, one of the benefits of the governance of public projects in Wales by the Welsh Government is that there is direct accountability here on the floor of the Senedd and close to the people of Wales, and that's the way it should be. It also means that projects are seen through the paradigm of Welsh policy, including the Well-being of Future...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Dirprwy Lywydd, my apologies, there was a bit of a delay then because the cursor would not allow me to unmute. Minister, once they let me out of Bridgend at some point, when we get on top of this virus, I'm looking forward to getting my gaiters on and heading up the Cambrian Way through mid Wales. It is a great gem and, of course, last year, along with Ramblers Cymru, we launched the...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Llywydd, I wonder if I could ask you whether there have been any discussions within the Commission, in your work on informing the electorate about the Senedd elections next year, about the applicability of postal voting, particularly with the coronavirus restrictions that we're increasingly seeing across parts of Wales. I realise that this is predominantly a matter for...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Sorry, Llywydd. Huw Irranca-Davies here. As we're going through this, I'm conscious that, for the record, amendment 3 in the previous set of voting is being shown as passed before the prime amendment. So, for accuracy of the record, I just want to make sure that's okay.
Huw Irranca-Davies: 2. What discussions has the First Minister had with the UK Prime Minister regarding the UK Government's proposals for regional investment in Wales? OQ55600
Huw Irranca-Davies: Well, First Minister, I'm disappointed to find that no discussions have gone on at that very top level of Government, but I don't put it at your door whatsoever. In Wales, with our established reserved-powers model of devolution and the spending priorities flowing from clear, legally constituted policy framework underpinned by the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, we can...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Diolch yn fawr, Minister. I've enjoyed reading this latest iteration, which will culminate, as you say, in the 'Future Wales: the national plan 2040'. As Mike Hedges has said, whose committee and another committee have been following this in detail—as I have from the backbenches—it is a real step forward. It's developed a lot of the themes that were picked up earlier and has incorporated...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Oh, in that case, one thing: can I ask you very much, please, to focus on the issue of grid capacity? It's too expensive to actually develop existing grid capacity. I don't have trust in Ofgem that they can actually use their pricing mechanism under the UK Government to actually do greater grid connectivity. So, whether, frankly, it's wind, PV, offshore, onshore or any other sort of one,...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Minister, home education can be an informed and positive choice for families and children, so the additional funding from Welsh Government is really welcome. But in June, you announced that due to the pressures of responding to the COVID crisis, it wouldn't be possible to proceed with the proposals set out in the consultation on home education statutory guidance and draft database...
Huw Irranca-Davies: 6. What assessment has the Minister made of the mental health and well-being impact of coronavirus restrictions in Wales? OQ55601
Huw Irranca-Davies: Minister, we look forward to that statement, because the longer the coronavirus is with us and the longer we have to adjust our lives, then the more profound the potential impact on mental health and well-being is. But some have been more severely affected because of enforced social isolation and shielding, because of financial loss or job loss, and the ever-present worry of exposure to...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Thank you very much indeed. Minister, could I commend the engagement you've done on this, but also the radicalism that is shot through this report and the statement as well? That's because, as I prompted you right at the outset of this, you didn't go to the usual suspects, and, of course, we work within the welcome ambition of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 as well. Let...
Huw Irranca-Davies: I only have one question, but simply to say, coming from an area that has been within these localised measures for some time, both with Rhondda Cynon Taf and Bridgend, my role, and that of others within the area, has been very much to explain to people why the measures are necessary and to encourage them to abide by them, difficult as that is for businesses and individuals. It was...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Can I ask you, Minister, what discussions are you having with the brewery sector in all its diversity in Wales, from microbreweries to the growing independent, indigenous brewers that add to the Wales brand for top-quality local food and drink, like Brecon Brewing of Brecon and—wait for it—of Ogmore, to ensure that everything is being done to ensure the future of these local job-creating...
Huw Irranca-Davies: 6. Will the Counsel General provide an update on the Our Future Wales consultation on support for future post-COVID-19 recovery and reconstruction? OQ55638
Huw Irranca-Davies: Minister, could I thank you for joining me recently in an online event where you engaged very deeply and thoughtfully with dozens of questions from the public on post-COVID recovery and reconstruction? So, recognising the immense challenges ahead of the pandemic and of the EU 'deal' or 'no deal' scenarios, and without coming across all Johnsonian now, oozing fantasy optimism about 'world...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Can I say 'well done' to Dawn Bowden for chairing a committee on a controversial matter of singular importance to the functioning now and in the future of this Senedd, this Parliament of Wales? She did so with real skill, and with the help of an exemplary small team of clerks, despite the unexpected disruption of a pandemic and some local political challenges. I'll reserve my remarks on that...
