Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer, and thank you for the statement. The situation is still very serious obviously, although I am pleased to see figures reducing somewhat, in terms of numbers, and in terms of the positivity rate too. But this afternoon, I'm thinking particularly about Ffion Parry, a 10-year-old girl from Amlwch, in my constituency, who's been gravely ill in Alder...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much, Llywydd. Extending the regulations until the end of February is the aim here and we will certainly be supporting these regulations. I'm surprised to hear the comment made by the Conservatives that they don't now support having any restrictions in place, to all intents and purposes, because this is the framework, and it's within that framework that the regulations are...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: May I ask for one written statement, if I may, from the Minister for Economy and/or the Minister for culture on the level of financial or practical support that can be provided to cinemas, theatres, arts centres as they operate the COVID pass? I'm thinking about organisations such as Ucheldre Centre, Theatr Fach and the Empire cinema in Anglesey, which are run as social enterprises and just...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Also, I'd like to ask for an oral statement by Welsh Government congratulating the people of Barbados on their transition to a republic. The country gained its independence, I think, some 55 years ago and is now taking the final step on that journey. And, speaking to the crowd on the newly renamed National Heroes Square, the Prince of Wales said: 'Emancipation, self-government and...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much, Deputy Llywydd. Thank you for today's update. This is another twist in the tale of this pandemic, and as we've just heard, it's a development that certainly needs to be taken seriously. It's a matter of concern that there is evidence that it can reinfect those who have already had COVID-19 or have been double vaccinated, as we've already heard. But these are early days,...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much, Deputy Llywydd. I'm very pleased that we as a Senedd have an opportunity to mark World AIDS Day. It's an opportunity to praise everyone involved with HIV Testing Week Cymru, which was co-ordinated by Fast Track Cardiff & Vale, and the aim was to break down the stigma that prevents people from taking a test. It then ties in to the target of preventing new HIV infections by...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much, Llywydd. The Minister has enthusiastically described how she's going to create a vaccination army to accelerate the booster programme. We don't have many details yet; it's at an early stage. I look forward to seeing more of those details. And although I am aware of the statement published today on amending contracts for general practice, we have heard concerns from the...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you for that response. The Minister talks about some things taking a back seat, and that's what I'm concerned about. And there are serious implications—the most serious—when some things take a back seat, and I'm thinking particularly about cancer and the need for early cancer diagnosis, for example. There are many people who are still staying away from primary care. They may have a...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I want to change tack for my third question. There was a general welcome recently when the UK Government announced that a menopause taskforce would be created as part of the women's health strategy. It's not entirely clear where the boundaries lie in terms of devolution in this regard, but certainly there are greater expectations among women in Wales now, and that's a good thing, as a result...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you to Mabon for bringing this motion before us today. The people of Wales wait too long for cancer treatment, and that impacts on the likelihood of survival. That's the fundamental truth of the matter that is the background to this motion today, and at the heart of the solution is the need for a new national cancer plan for Wales. The Minister has heard those regular demands from...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much, Deputy Llywydd, and I thank the Conservatives for bringing this debate forward today. We agree with the clear message in the motion itself, and we ask for support for our amendment as well. It's just a few words that I have here. I can summarise our position, in a way, by emphasising two things: first of all, the need for people who live with MND to be able to live with...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: —be made available to those with MND. I think that's what's going to contribute towards the quality of life. Too many people have to travel across the border for treatment, and we need to see how we can strengthen the provision here in Wales.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: 5. How does the Welsh Government intend to develop digital skills in Ynys Môn? OQ57347
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much for that response. This lunchtime, I was chairing the latest meeting of the cross-party group on digital issues, and skills was our topic today. There was a very interesting discussion, and we heard examples of excellent work already work already happening, not only in Ynys Môn in the M-SParc science park, but also in Gwynedd—a new council digital strategy there—in...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Everything, of course, should be done to prevent the loss of more school time, but, with the number of cases so high, there are practical problems in schools in ensuring that there are adequate numbers of staff available to keep classrooms open, and there is real concern, and very understandable concern, about transmission within schools. Staff and parents have been in touch with me...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much, Llywydd. I will also declare that I am an honorary member of the Red Squirrels Trust Wales, and I am very proud to be a Member representing an island who are, as a whole, champions for this particular creature. It was around a year ago when I was out running with my wife less than a mile from my home and a red squirrel jumped from the hedge and sped down the road ahead of...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: 'for the purpose of conserving or enhancing the flora, fauna or geological or physiographical features, or the natural beauty or amenity, of any land.'
Rhun ap Iorwerth: There is no such clause added to Welsh legislation, and it is time for us to remedy that. And beyond legislation, I have to say that it's a real concern of mine that there is a lack of robust dialogue between Natural Resources Wales and conservation organisations. It's something that I've raised time and time again. Partnership has to be part of the solution in safeguarding the squirrel. ...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Diolch yn fawr iawn, Dirprwy Lywydd. I very much welcome the opportunity today to debate the Holden report and build on the discussion we had as part of the short debate led by Llyr Gruffydd a few weeks ago. It's notable that, despite a few weeks passing now since the release, finally, of this damning report, the Government still hasn't used its own Senedd time to allow the Senedd to debate...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you, Llywydd. I certainly agree with the Minister that the situation is very serious, and I thank in advance all of those healthcare workers, vaccination services and test and trace services, and so on, who are going to be under a huge amount of pressure in the coming period, and that would have been a time of great pressure anyway, regardless of omicron.
