James Evans: Diolch, Llywydd, and I would like to put on record my thanks to you for your reappointment to your post and also to the First Minister for getting reappointed to his post. I would also like to put on the record my thanks and appreciation to my predecessor, Kirsty Williams, for her work and dedication to the people of my constituency and to this Senedd, and also to the people of Brecon and...
James Evans: Minister, I'd like to congratulate you and welcome you to your post. I know you and I worked very closely when I was a member of Powys County Council, and I look forward to working closely with you now. Minister, I and my party welcome the continued relaxation of the COVID regulations here in Wales. With COVID-19 numbers at a record low, all nations of the United Kingdom have moved away from...
James Evans: Thank you, Minister, for your update. We've heard in the Chamber today and seen reported both in local and national media the tragic stories of people of all ages waiting for referrals, diagnostics and treatment due to the delays caused by COVID-19. In many cases, these ailments are easily treated in early stages, but as time progresses, they get harder and harder to treat effectively. Due to...
James Evans: Diolch—thank you. And I formally move the motion in the name of Darren Millar. Across the farming communities in Wales, from the upland areas to the coastal regions and to my own area in the heart of Wales in Brecon and Radnorshire, our agricultural communities and our farmers work tirelessly to feed the nation and ensure the environment is protected and our landscapes managed in a...
James Evans: Our farmers play a huge role, producing food to feed the nation. Farmers are passionate about their land, committed to working towards the best practices, producing top-quality products with the highest standards of animal welfare and environmental protections. However, Welsh Government's agricultural policies over the years have shown contempt for farmers and our rural communities, promising...
James Evans: Whilst one pollution incident is one too many, a blanket policy is hurting the industry at a time when they need support. The financial package of support provided from the Welsh Government is woefully inadequate, putting large cost burdens onto our farmers in order for them to adapt to these changes. Despite assurances—. On no less than between seven and 10 occasions, the Minister assured...
James Evans: The recent Senedd election saw a poor turnout of 47 per cent across Wales. There is still widespread confusion about what powers the Senedd currently has control over, and a massive piece of work needs to be done to get people to engage with the process we have here and the work we do to improve the lives of the people of Wales. This is a challenge not just for us here, but for devolved...
James Evans: Diolch, Llywydd. I will try to be brief, as much as I can. It's great to have the opportunity to speak in this debate today. As a proud Welshman, sport plays a huge role in my life and, as a nation and from our past glories, we hope—fingers crossed—for future successes. In Brecon and Radnorshire, we love our sport, from our community cricket clubs, rugby and football clubs, our darts...
James Evans: Before I start, I'll take no lectures from the Liberal Democrats on second homes when some of them have got homes in France, and I even think the Liberal Democrat here has got two homes, but there we go; I'll leave that there. As the Minister knows, housing is very close to my heart, and as I was a local government cabinet member for housing, I know intricately the issues that the sector is...
James Evans: Minister, with the increase of people using our road network as we start to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic, speeding is becoming one of the biggest issues in my constituency of Brecon and Radnorshire. So, Minister, will you ask the Deputy Minister for Climate Change to make a statement on the work of the GoSafe partnership and if more money can be provided to fund average speed check...
James Evans: Minister, many people in Brecon and Radnorshire commute to work out of the constituency to Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and beyond, and the only way those people can go to their place of work is by driving due to the rurality of my constituency and the lack of public transport. During the last term of the Senedd, the Welsh Government floated the idea of a potential road tax and, if imposed, this...
James Evans: Diolch, Llywydd. And not a single person opposite in Labour or Plaid Cymru has talked about the positives of Brexit, and it's a shame. The Minister talks about undermining democracy. I'll take no lectures from Labour about undermining democracy, because that's what your party have been doing for the last five years. Five years ago today, the people of Wales and the United Kingdom, they stood...
James Evans: —have wide-ranging new powers transferred from the EU and, I hope, that we all believe are best decided by those elected here in Wales for the Welsh people. That is what Plaid Cymru want, so I hope you support that. From agriculture to sport to air quality, flood-risk management to forestry, the Welsh Government now has an arsenal to make these regulations work for Wales and get rid of the...
James Evans: Yes, I'll finish up now, Llywydd. So, let's make the most of this historic vote—
James Evans: —and build a Wales—. Let's build a Wales that the people of our country deserve: a global Wales, a strong and prosperous Wales, a Wales in a strong, global Britain, a Wales that delivers for the people's priorities. Diolch, Llywydd.
James Evans: I just want to thank Janet Finch-Saunders for raising this very important topic today in the Chamber. Sheep scab is one of the biggest health issues facing sheep farms in my constituency. As a farmer myself, I've injected ivermectin into sheep and have also done dipping. I've also had an ivermectin injection in my own finger. So, I know exactly what it takes to treat sheep scab promptly....
James Evans: Another week passes, our economy is under pressure, NHS waiting lists are under pressure, our education sector is under pressure, and still the Welsh Government want to waste crucial time to talk about further reform to the union. I am sorry, but my constituents, this Senedd and the Welsh Government have got far more pressing issues to deal with. Over the years, more and more powers have been...
James Evans: Protecting the environment and biodiversity in my constituency of Brecon and Radnorshire and across Wales is of the utmost importance to our long-term goals of improving the natural environment for future generations. Parties across this Parliament all agree that we must reverse biodiversity loss, and work to ensure we're at the global forefront of creating a thriving environment for nature,...
James Evans: Diolch, Llywydd. This week, I will not run over time, like I did the last time we had a debate, and I will allocate a minute of my time to Laura Anne Jones, Peter Fox and Mabon ap Gwynfor. Members in this Chamber and those watching remotely find much about which we disagree. On this occasion, I'm going to focus upon something that I believe we can all agree on—the absolute need to do...
James Evans: How does the Welsh Government plan to support economic development in mid Wales?
