Samuel Kurtz: Minister, the new curriculum places an expectation on teachers to be able to teach to a certain degree through the medium of Welsh. For the benefit of the pupil, we need high-quality teachers here in Wales, with a wide broad range of experiences and backgrounds, in our schools. In areas such as south-east Wales, where staff are often recruited or even commute from over the border in England,...
Samuel Kurtz: Will the Member give way?
Samuel Kurtz: I note that you mention support for veterans. Would you join me in congratulating Barry John MBE of the VC Gallery in my constituency? He leads a team of volunteers helping veterans and the wider community dealing with mental health issues through art and crafts, which is a fantastic support in my rural community.
Samuel Kurtz: Diolch yn fawr, acting Llywydd. I would like to thank all Members for their contributions this afternoon, but I am left somewhat frustrated, as is the Member for Monmouth, given the need for co-operation, partnership and teamwork in tackling change and bringing about a green economy, that, when we bring forward this motion, which looks to do all of those things with the Welsh Government for...
Samuel Kurtz: Thank you, Minister. Access to NHS dentistry has been a perennial problem, and the last 18 months has only exacerbated the problem due to COVID. Like many colleagues, it is an issue that I receive a regular amount of casework on, and it is an issue that causes a great deal of frustration and concern for many of my constituents. Like everything, to better understand how to tackle a problem, we...
Samuel Kurtz: 6. Will the Minister make a statement on the accessibility of NHS dentists in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire? OQ57114
Samuel Kurtz: Trefnydd, can I call for two statements from yourself, please, as rural affairs Minister? Firstly, this week marks the start of COP26, and I note the absence of a statement from yourself regarding the positive role that agriculture can play in the fight against climate change. I'm sure you'll agree with me that it is our agricultural communities that are the natural custodians of our...
Samuel Kurtz: First Minister, I welcome the Local Places for Nature scheme, and I look forward to increasing access to and enjoyment of nature and our rural areas for a wider Welsh audience. I remember as a child having the countryside code taught to me in school, and I am sure you did, as did many others in this Chamber. It provided advice on how to make sure that our enjoyment of the countryside did not...
Samuel Kurtz: This organisation in Wales is bilingual, with a number of competitions through the medium of Welsh, with the Young Farmers Eisteddfod shown on S4C very often. The Welsh language and culture of Wales are dovetailed with the young farmers organisation.
Samuel Kurtz: While Wales YFC is a charity itself, its members are never shy of raising some much needed funds for other charities, both local and national. My favourite YFC memory was when I was one of 27 other members and supporters of Pembrokeshire YFC who cycled the 250 miles from Haverfordwest showground to our national annual general meeting in Blackpool, over four days. We were hosted by another YFC...
Samuel Kurtz: Diolch, Llywydd, and I have agreed to give James Evans, Rhun ap Iorwerth, Peter Fox, Cefin Campbell and Alun Davies a minute each of my time. I would like to declare an interest before I begin. The Wales Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, known more commonly as Wales YFC, is a voluntary youth organisation and registered charity operating bilingually throughout rural Wales. My YFC life started...
Samuel Kurtz: Oh yes I was. [Laughter.] Now, a little older, with fewer spots but still with braces, I have the huge privilege of being Pembrokeshire YFC's chairman, and I'm proudly wearing my Pembrokeshire YFC tie today. So why, then, have I in my first short debate in this Siambr felt the need to discuss Wales YFC? Is it the countless friends that I've made and continue to make through my involvement...
Samuel Kurtz: Given the importance of this afternoon's debate, it would be remiss of me not to touch on the important contributions of our Welsh-language teachers, in particular those in both primary and secondary education, who are working around the clock to deliver a first-rate Welsh-medium education to young people right across Wales—a key tool in the chest should the Welsh Government want to achieve...
Samuel Kurtz: Thank you, Deputy Minister. That's really reassuring to hear after what you will understand has been a concerning weekend in west Wales due to a press report release that said to the contrary. Your office said, 'We understand the interest in this project. It is right for the scope of this review to be as broad as possible. Beyond that, we cannot predetermine the views of the panel', clearly...
Samuel Kurtz: 1. What impact will the Welsh Government’s roads review have on improvements already in progress on the A40: Llanddewi Velfrey to Redstone Cross bypass? TQ572
Samuel Kurtz: Trefnydd, can I call on the Minister for Climate Change to make a statement on the Welsh Government's flooding policy, please? In the winter of 2020-21, the quayside in Carmarthen flooded a total of three times in no less than nine weeks. Having met with the businesses and property owners on the quay, they remain worried regarding future flooding of the Towy and of the quayside. Natural...
Samuel Kurtz: What action is the Welsh Government taking to tackle flooding in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire?
Samuel Kurtz: Thank you to the Member from Anglesey for bringing this debate to the Chamber.
Samuel Kurtz: Wales has a wealth of renewable and green energy potential, and it would be remiss of me not to start, given that Rhun ap Iorwerth has secured this debate, by mentioning the opportunities in Ynys Môn. He's mentioned solar, but the Wylfa Newydd nuclear energy site is a campaign I know his constituency colleague, the Member of Parliament for Ynys Môn, Virginia Crosbie, has championed...
Samuel Kurtz: Thank you, Minister. You will be delighted to hear, I’m sure, that I’ve been recently appointed the Atlantic grey seal champion, and last week I enjoyed a meeting with the Marine Conservation Society on Tenby north beach to discuss some of the challenges that these creatures face from human actions while undertaking a beach clean. At this time of year the Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire...
