Rhun ap Iorwerth: It's very interesting—consensus can build between politicians here in Wales and politicians in Westminster. It's happened over air passenger duty, for example. But still, because the cards are held by UK Government, it is up to them, not us as a nation what we get to decide on the future of our transport network. So, there's a catalogue of examples that I could give of why the UK is not a...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you, Llywydd. Trefnydd, many people were shocked last week by some of the language chosen by the UK Prime Minister in the House of Commons. They were shocked that he could be so thoughtless in terms of the fears of Members of Parliament regarding physical violence against them, and that he was so willing to disrespect the memory of an MP who was murdered because of her beliefs. Whatever...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: As I said in my first question, all of us, of course, on both sides of the debate have to get our tone right. I read Welsh Government's policy update on Brexit, published last week, 'A brighter future for Wales', and in that document the Government floats proposals, including summary deportation of migrants and tracking of migrants through national insurance. Now, parking for one second the...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: We’re talking about the importance of the use of language; let me turn to the use of the Welsh language. It did appear that there was quite some consensus achieved in terms of giving the name ‘Senedd’ to this institution. New legislation would reflect the fact that ‘Welsh Parliament’ is the meaning of the term ‘Senedd’, but we would give an inherently Welsh name to the...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: 'Senedd' has increasingly become a norm when people refer to this place. Yes, they call it the Welsh Assembly, they call it the National Assembly, they call it the Assembly, but more and more this building is known as the Senedd in both languages, which belong to all of us in Wales, whichever our language or languages of choice. And now we can take the small but significant step of adopting...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: We know that uncertainty is bad for business, which in itself is a condemnation of the way the referendum was held, without homework having been done, because it was inevitable that it was going to take years to resolve Brexit. Yes, there has been a slippage to the original timetable, but there was going to be a period of years anyway, so it was inevitable that that period of uncertainty, as...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much, Llywydd. Will the Minister outline the Welsh Government's preparations for industry 4.0?
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I look forward to the full response on Professor Brown's report. What he saw was that too many Welsh companies are locked into low-value parts of worldwide chains and, actually, that there's little scope for higher value roles in areas like research and development and international procurement. Now Professor Brown further argues that the Welsh workforce, as a result, will be exposed to...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: One thing that Professor Brown identifies is that gross value added measures are a very good indication of how prepared an economy is for automation. And the report highlights the sheer scale of the challenge for Wales in particular in preparing the workforce for advances in automation because of a failure to increase our GVA. And if we look at GVA figures by region, then it's very, very...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you, Llywydd. The UK Government has updated its temporary tariff regime, which will impact lorries, bioethanol and clothing if we leave the EU with no deal, but there are no assurances for farmers. So, we are looking at a situation where farmers could be priced out of foreign markets, and we know what the impact of that could be on farms and rural communities. In light of that...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I’m pleased there is consensus between us on this issue, but I now want to appeal for regenerating a consensus that used to exist between us on the name of this institution. In the past, you have said that you would favour the name ‘Senedd’, and I was very pleased to hear that. Could I ask you why you decided to break with that consensus by saying that you now want to scrap the...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: If it's a matter for Members, can you confirm to us that you will allow your Ministers also a free vote on this matter? There's certainly no legal barrier to calling it 'Senedd' only, and in explaining his reason behind his amendments to drop the Welsh-only name, your predecessor, Carwyn Jones, said in The Guardian a few days ago it's because it would cause confusion. But who's confused?...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: The concessionary pass, of course, is something that everyone appreciates and treasures. People look forward, I think, to reaching 60 years of age—[Interruption.] There's a problem. No, it’s okay. Is it working? It should be working. We’re okay. So, I was just saying that the concessionary pass on the bus is something that people treasure, and people very much look forward to reaching...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: 6. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Housing and Local Government regarding energy matters that are included in the draft National Development Framework 2020-2040? OAQ54482
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Given the climate emergency, we must increase the amount of electricity we produce from renewable sources. We also need public support for that. The draft framework identifies a significant area of Anglesey that should be considered as a priority area for the production of solar and wind energy. The research is based on erecting turbines of up to 250m. If we think about the tallest things on...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: 1. Will the Minister make a statement on the funding allocation to Anglesey County Council for 2020-21? OAQ54481
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much. First of all, will the Minister join me in congratulating Isle of Anglesey County Council on being judged the second best in Wales in a new study? The Plaid Cymru leader, Llinos Medi, and her team deserve all praise, as well as the previous chief executive, Gwyn Jones, and his team. And may I wish his successor, Annwen Morgan, well as she starts on her work? But, that...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: 2. Will the Minister make a statement on the announcement by Marco Cable Management that they are to close their site on Anglesey? 347
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much. I was genuinely disappointed from hearing this news. We’re talking about good jobs with a company that we thought had a sustainable presence in Llangefni, and not much time has passed since I was discussing with Marco the possibility of expansion. Now, we’re talking about the loss of jobs, and I think more than anything today we’re thinking about the 40 staff who...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: This was a company that was rooted on Anglesey. It was established in 2003 in Llangefni and later became a part of the Atco International group. Such a common story—and isn't this yet another example of what happens when indigenous companies sell up to companies that have no real attachment, then, to a community? There's also the inherent threat of being at the mercy of external...
