Russell George: Just earlier this year, the First Minister, also in the Chamber this afternoon as well, stated that the Welsh Government had no intention or plans to introduce vaccine passports for venues here in Wales. We are now in a positive position where 70 per cent of the entire population of Wales are now fully vaccinated. I feel quite strongly about this, but I just do not think that we should become...
Russell George: There is a wide range of ethical, equality, privacy, legal and operational ramifications of COVID passports. [Interruption.] I hear some Labour Members chuntering in the background, but it was the First Minister himself—and the Minister herself—who have said these are finely balanced decisions. [Interruption.] So, take that into account. I don't mind taking an intervention.
Russell George: Can I thank the Minister for her statement today and also for the invitation to technical briefings? I know, Minister, that you, as much as I am, are appalled that one in three babies who were stillborn at Cwm Taf may have survived if it were not for serious mistakes made at the Royal Glamorgan and Prince Charles hospitals between 2016 and 2018. This is a tragic day for families in south...
Russell George: Thank you, Presiding Officer. Can I thank Members who took part in this debate today? My colleague Joel James opened the debate today, calling on the Government in a number of areas, but first of all, Joel set out the positive impact of the removal of the Severn crossing tolls. I genuinely thought that this might be something that all Members would be agreed on, but that's not the case. I...
Russell George: Today marks World Heart Day and, to raise awareness, British Heart Foundation Cymru have been hosting a drop-in session on the steps of the Senedd. It was good that so many Members were able to attend today. British Heart Foundation Cymru are also launching a new campaign on the impact of heart disease on women. Women are twice as likely to die from coronary heart disease than breast cancer,...
Russell George: Will you take an intervention?
Russell George: Thanks, Luke. I listened to this debate with real interest, actually, but what I've found from visiting businesses in my own constituency is that many employers want to be flexible themselves, and I'm particularly finding this as a result of the pandemic. When I visit businesses, employers are offering employees what suits them because they want to get the best employees for their business....
Russell George: Our debate today is couched in that way. It's about support for the ambulance service and making sure that they receive the support that they need from the Welsh Government. But, be in no doubt: the ambulance service is in crisis. It's not just in near-crisis. It's in crisis now, and it has been in crisis for some months. We need immediate action from the Welsh Government to support the...
Russell George: Diolch, Deputy Llywydd. I move the motion this afternoon in the name of my colleague Darren Millar. Can I, at the outset of this debate, first of all thank paramedics and ambulance staff for their work, especially during the course of the pandemic? I know that I speak on behalf of all my Conservative colleagues, but I know that Members from across the Chamber will agree that we thank...
Russell George: How is the Welsh Government supporting the development of Banc Cambria? Transferred for written answer by the Minister for Economy.
Russell George: Diolch, acting Presiding Officer. Minister, can I thank you for your statement and for the update on the future approach to optometry services? This week, National Eye Health Week stresses the importance, of course, of regular eye tests for all. So, I'm sure that we'll all be surprised that there's been a drop of 180,000 eye tests delivered across Wales in 2020 alone, let alone what those...
Russell George: Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's involvement in developing energy networks in Wales?
Russell George: What discussions has the Minister had with the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing about the impact of Welsh Government policies on farmers' mental health?
Russell George: Diolch, Deputy Llywydd. Minister, can I thank you for your statement this afternoon and also for your raft of statements earlier today as well? I very much appreciated that those statements and that information came to us as Members and Members of this Senedd first, before any media outlets. That's very much appreciated. Can I say, first of all, with regard to the JCVI vaccination advice—?...
Russell George: Thank you, Llywydd. I'm grateful for Jane Dodds and the First Minister raising these points, and for the First Minister's answer. I think there's a great deal of cross-party support for that north Powys hub, and I believe it'll continue in the same vein, so that's very much appreciated. I was listening very carefully to your response, First Minister, to Jayne Bryant. I can agree with every...
Russell George: I notice the Government hasn't made any amendments to this motion today; I understand that, because the motion in front of us is quite straightforward, isn't it? It's a simple, 'Do you agree or not with the statement?' It's been a year since the Welsh Conservatives first called for an independent public inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic in Wales, and for over a year, the Welsh Government...
Russell George: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. The motion before us today is that this Welsh Parliament calls for an independent public inquiry into the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Wales. And, as the Deputy Presiding Officer has outlined, this has been also co-submitted with Plaid Cymru. So, I do move the motion in the name of Darren Millar.
Russell George: Thank you, First Minister, for that answer, and, indeed, Powys health board, working with the local authority, have submitted the proposals for the plan—the proposal that you've outlined. I've raised this matter with you a number of times previously, First Minister. The plan would see a cutting-edge, new facility, a new community hospital, with additional services as well being located in...
Russell George: 1. What is the Welsh Government doing to improve health outcomes in Powys? OQ56773
Russell George: Well, I wasn't suggesting that is the case at all. That'll be the case in countries around the world, but I was suggesting it was to a greater extent in Wales and that lessons need to be learned from that specifically. Now, a Wales-only inquiry, and not being willing to bring that forward—. I was very careful in my question not to say an inquiry immediately now. I specifically asked about...
