Darren Millar: Leanne Wood.
Darren Millar: First Minister, one of the problems, we are told, is that people aren’t getting a diagnosis early enough and therefore, unfortunately, infections are ravishing them before the antibiotics can be prescribed. Given the difficulties that people in Wales are facing in accessing GP appointments, and the difficulties in securing responses and outcomes from diagnostic tests—many people wait many...
Darren Millar: Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's priorities for public health in Wales?
Darren Millar: Cabinet Secretary, can I ask for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for health and social services to provide an update to the house on the special measures and their impact in the Betsi Cadwaladr health board area? The Minister will know that it’s now 12 months since the board was put into special measures and since the publication of a scandalous report on mental health care at the...
Darren Millar: Will the First Minister make a statement on local authority waste collection services?
Darren Millar: 6. Will the First Minister outline the Welsh Government’s priorities for the NHS? OAQ(5)0045(FM)
Darren Millar: Thank you very much indeed, First Minister. One of the commitments that you gave during the election period was that within 100 days you would consult on whether the Betsi Cadwaladr university health board ought to be divided into two or more health organisations. Have you abandoned that commitment or are we going to see a proposal come forward from your new Government?
Darren Millar: First Minister, in England, of course, there’s already an entitlement for 15 hours’ worth of childcare each and every week versus the entitlement to just 10 hours here in Wales. I know some local authorities are providing more than that at present, but it’s certainly not something that reaches across the board. Given that there is already a second-rate deal, as it where, for parents...
Darren Millar: Minister, can I ask you with regard to recycling rates in Wales? One of the best-performing local authorities was Conwy, and it has managed to achieve its success in recycling with a current recycling regime with a trolley box that is collected on a weekly basis, with different recyclates that are collected at the kerbside and separated at the kerbside, and then a black bin collection on a...
Darren Millar: Minister, I’m very grateful for you bringing this statement today. I think it’s only right that we pay tribute as an Assembly to the tremendous efforts of volunteers across Wales. But I am a little bit disappointed because the one significant group of volunteers that you didn’t mention were those in faith groups across the country in churches, mosques and other settings. You’ll be...
Darren Millar: You’ve mentioned the relationship between age and sports participation. Would you agree with me that one of the best sports for intergenerational activities is actually crown green bowling, which, of course, is practised widely across north Wales—very little in the south? And, of course, there are some excellent facilities in the Deputy Presiding Officer’s constituency in the town of...
Darren Millar: Will the Minister provide an update on the impact of special measures at the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board?
Darren Millar: First Minister, I noticed that one of the items on the agenda for the British-Irish Council meeting was that of the support that’s required by carers across Wales and, in particular, that young and older carers were considered. Can you tell me: was any progress made on cross-governmental agreement, in terms of an approach to providing guaranteed rights to respite for carers? This is...
Darren Millar: Can I called for two statements, please, leader of the house—the first from the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport on the deactivation of pacemakers towards the end of life? This has been brought to my attention by the tragic case of Patricia Hastings from Rhos-on-Sea who passed away with vascular dementia earlier this year. Unfortunately, her family members had to see her...
Darren Millar: 2. Will the Minister make a statement on action being taken to reduce flood risk in Clwyd West? OAQ(5)0005(ERA)
Darren Millar: Thank you very much, Cabinet Secretary. I’m very grateful for the investment that was put by the previous Government into addressing flood risk issues in Clwyd West, and you will know that, on many occasions, I’ve welcomed that investment. I am concerned for those areas that you also listed, to say that they are currently under consideration, but I was disappointed not to hear any...
Darren Millar: As the species champion for the red squirrel in Wales, I’m delighted that one of the largest populations of red squirrels is in the Clocaenog forest in my constituency. You will be aware that that forestry is managed by a taxpayer-funded organisation, Natural Resources Wales. What work are you doing to ensure that, where there is publicly owned land, it does promote biodiversity and, in...
Darren Millar: Cabinet Secretary, do you accept that many parents who love their children use, sparingly, reasonable chastisement as a means to discipline their children, and that the excessive use of other forms of discipline can also be equally abusive to children when they are not used correctly? What action are you taking as a Government to ensure that positive parenting skills are something that are...
Darren Millar: First Minister, can I join with those who’ve already expressed their condemnation of the racist attacks and criticisms that have taken place on social media and elsewhere in recent days? But can you also join with me in praising the work of faith communities across Wales, who’ve done their utmost to protect those Syrian refugees and others who have come to Wales to flee persecution in...
Darren Millar: Diolch, Lywydd. First Minister, I’m very pleased to hear that you want to use the regulatory powers that are available to curb problem gambling in society. You will know that around one in 50 men now is deemed to be a gambling addict, and that is a very concerning figure, and it can have very damaging effects on society. But do you share with me the concern that has been expressed by those...
