Huw Irranca-Davies: I thank the First Minister for that answer. As he knows, the Reading-Heathrow rail link will hugely improve access to Heathrow Airport for leisure and business travellers from south Wales and the south-west, and the west midlands and many other areas. It will reduce travel times down to around 26 minutes, reduce carbon, and transport more people on to rail and away from private transport. But...
Huw Irranca-Davies: The business Secretary will know that today I hosted an event in the Pierhead building, close to here, at our Welsh National Assembly, which highlighted the dramatic decline in species and habitats globally. There was recognition, I have to say, in that event of the good steps that the Welsh Government and the National Assembly for Wales have supported, not least with the Environment (Wales)...
Huw Irranca-Davies: It seems to me that, on a quiet Tuesday on the run up to Christmas at around 5.05 p.m., the Counsel General stood up in the Chamber in a very measured and calm way and said something that was quite a landmark moment in terms of legislatures within the UK and internationally, and I commend him for doing so. He has put his comments forward in a very measured way, in a very calm way, and...
Huw Irranca-Davies: As the Cabinet Secretary will know, many of my constituents, not least those in Maesteg, were recently affected by the flash flooding. As we approach Christmas, many of them are out of their homes, with relatives, with family, their belongings have been taken away in skips, and their houses are drying out. Some of them could be out for some time. Can I ask the Cabinet Secretary for advice for...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Cabinet Secretary, can I ask you, in light of the UK Government’s recent publication of the Taylor review of youth justice, whether the Welsh Government intends to pursue greater influence over youth justice in Wales through the existing powers we have with regard to vulnerable children? So, for example, the last Welsh Government proposed the establishment of statutory reintegration and...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Within our south Wales Valleys towns, there have been immense and sustained efforts within recent years to economically and socially regenerate those communities that were devastated in those years after the—. [Interruption]
Huw Irranca-Davies: My apologies, my apologies. [Interruption]. I know—seven months. I will get the hang of this. [Laughter.]
Huw Irranca-Davies: 10. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister overseeing the Valleys Taskforce on the regeneration of valleys communities? OAQ(5)0078(CC)
Huw Irranca-Davies: I thank the Cabinet Secretary, and he may have some hint of where I’m going with this question. [Laughter.] Within our south Wales Valleys towns, there have been immense and sustained efforts in recent years to economically and socially regenerate those communities that were devastated in the hard years after the collieries closed, and those efforts continue. But one of the most visible...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I’m genuinely seeking clarification as a new Member in this Assembly. I’m seeking clarification—and I don’t have the rule book in front of me—on the relevant part of Standing Orders referring to urgent questions, and what constitutes an urgent question. I say that not with any disrespect to the urgent question that we’ve just heard, but it does...
Huw Irranca-Davies: What assessment has the Minister made of the Living Planet Report 2016?
Huw Irranca-Davies: 4. What recent discussions has the First Minister had with Cabinet Secretaries regarding the Environment and Sustainability Committee of the fourth Assembly’s report, ‘A Smarter Energy Future for Wales’? OAQ(5)0347(FM)
Huw Irranca-Davies: I thank the First Minister for that answer. He will know that a new year is often a time for new year’s resolutions as well. So, could I ask the First Minister whether he and the very able Cabinet Secretary will undertake—will resolve—to work with the Assembly and work across Government to take forward as many as possible of those 19 recommendations, which included a commitment to...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. We reported on this Bill on 16 December and, as well as making some general observations, we made three recommendations. We welcome the fact that the Cabinet Secretary’s letter earlier today has responded to those recommendations and, indeed, as he’s just reiterated, has accepted two of them. So, in the words of that great sage of legislative and...
Huw Irranca-Davies: The Sun’ newspaper will do what ‘The Sun’ newspaper does, if it merits the actual phrase of ‘newspaper’ being put after it. But, could I welcome both the question that’s been put and the positive way in which the Minister has responded? And, whilst some would argue from the right and the left, who are supporters of this approach for different reasons, that you cannot actually...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Can I thank Llyr for introducing this debate and commend many of the contributors already who’ve spoken in support of the motion? I make no apologies for reiterating some of the points that have been made already, because I think they are worth stating very emphatically. Can I also thank very much Cardiff University, Universities Wales and others for the briefing materials that they...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Diolch, Lywydd. Can I thank the First Minister for laying out his summation of where we are and his recommendation of support for this LCM today? Let me begin with some simple matters of process. The Welsh Government tabled the initial legislative consent memorandum in relation to the Wales Bill on 21 November 2016. The Business Committee referred it to us, and we reported on this LCM on 13...
Huw Irranca-Davies: 1. Will the Counsel General make a statement on the potential legal implications for the Welsh Government of a judicial review of Section 127 of the European Economic Area agreement? OAQ(5)0018(CG)
Huw Irranca-Davies: I thank the Counsel General for that answer. And, of course, he’s drawn our attention as well to recent issues, including the recent application for a judicial review. So, could I ask, in light of that, and his answer, what steps the Welsh Government is taking to protect the interests of the people of Wales, bearing in mind indications from the Prime Minister that failing to secure access...
Huw Irranca-Davies: This does recall Eric Pickles’s joyous attempt to actually take it back to weekly bin collections, which bit the dust ignominiously. Can I ask whether she has consulted, in framing this motion, with any organisations at all who are involved in recycling and reducing the amount of waste? Or has she consulted with any local authorities who, in Wales, have driven down the recycling level, and...
