Helen Mary Jones: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. It goes without saying that nobody would wish to find themselves returned to this Chamber under the circumstances that I face. And I have to say that it was a difficult decision to make to return. I want to express my gratitude this afternoon to Swansea University for releasing me from my commitments to them early, to enable me to be here today. And I want to thank...
Helen Mary Jones: First Minister, I appreciate it may be rather difficult to be negotiating with the Brexit process as it stands. Will you agree with me that you could, of course, have strengthened your own hand by rejecting and refusing to accept what you've described as a power grab? Have you any idea—I would fully accept that this is not within your gift—of the time frame by which we will know more...
Helen Mary Jones: Will the Minister take an intervention?
Helen Mary Jones: Just very briefly, I wonder, Minister, if you can respond a little bit more to what both the Chair of the committee and others have said about the restrictions on Flying Start and the fact that so many of our children who are growing up in poverty are not in those areas. This isn't new.
Helen Mary Jones: I'm very grateful to you for taking the intervention. With regard to safety, I think you are right to highlight the fact that a lot of the issues around safety are to do with perception, but there is a real issue for women and girls using public transport and cycling and walking, particularly at night. Can I urge you, Cabinet Secretary, as we're driving this active travel agenda forward, to...
Helen Mary Jones: Will the First Minister make a statement on progress in relation to meeting the Welsh Government's target of creating a million Welsh speakers by 2050?
Helen Mary Jones: Much has changed in public life in Wales since I last spoke on a health issue here in this Chamber. Some things have not. One thing that has not is the simple fact that many in communities in the west do not have confidence in the Hywel Dda health board, do not trust it to act in their interests, and do not believe that, when it consults on proposed service changes, it listens to them and...
Helen Mary Jones: It is vital, Dirprwy Lywydd, as others have said, that we acknowledge that the concerns raised by those supporting this petition are genuine. They are based on the past experience of service changes at Withybush hospital over the last 15 years—changes that have led to real tangible problems—and it's important to reflect on the lessons learnt from that reconfiguration. We know that, if...
Helen Mary Jones: Will the Cabinet Secretary commission a study to reopen the railway line from Welshpool to Gobowen as part of the mid Wales growth deal?
Helen Mary Jones: 4. What discussions has the First Minister had with the Children’s Commissioner for Wales with regard to legislation to promote the rights of children and young people? OAQ52673
Helen Mary Jones: Thank you, First Minister. You will be aware that, last week, we welcomed to the National Assembly Bruce Adamson, the children's commissioner for Scotland, who gave the first annual commemorative lecture in memory of your predecessor, Rhodri Morgan. Speaking about the Welsh legislation, Mr Adamson said this: 'There is so much that I like. I like the proactive approach to compliance, I think...
Helen Mary Jones: 8. What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had regarding a needs-based formula for allocating money to councils? OAQ52674
Helen Mary Jones: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. Since returning to this place, I've received a number of representations from local authorities in my own area, particularly in my own region and particularly in Powys, who contend that—and this will not be a new point made to you, I'm sure—the current formula creates difficulties for people in rural areas. For example, if you are a family on low wages living...
Helen Mary Jones: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'll respond to this debate on behalf of my colleague Adam Price, who's one of the persons named in tabling it. I'd like to begin, of course, by thanking all Members for taking part in what has been, I think, a very moving debate. It is not always appropriate for politicians to bring our personal experiences to bear on our politics, but sometimes it very much is,...
Helen Mary Jones: Llywydd, I have to admit that I have form on resisting the results of referendums when I feel that the people have made a mistake. I joined Plaid Cymru in 1979 after the devolution referendum was lost. It took us 20 years to overturn the result of that referendum. I don't think there are many people—. [Interruption.] It did take 20 years, I'll give David Rowlands that. It took 20 years,...
Helen Mary Jones: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the next steps following the end of the consultation on petroleum extraction policy in Wales?
Helen Mary Jones: Will the First Minister make a statement on provision for parents who have experienced a miscarriage or loss of a baby?
Helen Mary Jones: Thank you for your response to Paul Davies. You'll obviously be aware, leader of the house, that rural businesses are particularly impacted when they're unable to access effective broadband services, and this has an ongoing effect on the rural economy. Can you reassure us that, when you're rolling out the new contract—and I appreciate you can't say much in detail about that today—you will...
Helen Mary Jones: 5. Will the Commission make a statement on resourcing the Welsh Youth Parliament? OAQ52729
Helen Mary Jones: Thank you very much, Commissioner, for that answer. May I ask on what basis the £50,000 has been agreed? Because I think we need to be sure that—. This is such an exciting initiative—this is one of the best things the Assembly has done for a very, very long time, it's had a huge welcome, and we need to make sure that the resourcing for that is sustainable, I think particularly looking...
