Elin Jones: The leader of Plaid Cymru—Adam Price.
Elin Jones: Questions now from the party leaders. The leader of the Conservatives, Andrew R.T. Davies.
Elin Jones: I thank the Trenydd for that.
Elin Jones: The first question this afternoon is from Buffy Williams.
Elin Jones: Diolch. The Trefnydd will be answering questions on behalf of the First Minister this afternoon, and I ask the Trefnydd to say a few words.
Elin Jones: Good afternoon and welcome to this afternoon's Plenary meeting. As we begin this afternoon, we are all painfully aware of the sudden loss suffered by the First Minister over the weekend, and, on behalf of us all, I wish to extend our condolences to him and his family.
Elin Jones: It’s little understood by people outside this Chamber, but often what pains one of us can pain all of us. In this case, what pains the First Minister has touched many people throughout Wales. When the news broke on Saturday, the first asking for her condolences to be passed on to the First Minister, messaging me, was a nurse in Bronglais. Mark and his family are in our hearts and prayers...
Elin Jones: I forgot to call on the Minister to move formally amendment 2.
Elin Jones: Formally, therefore that's been proposed. Jenny Rathbone.
Elin Jones: I have selected the four amendments to the motion. If amendment 2 is agreed, amendment 3 will be deselected. I call on Russell George to move amendments 1, 3 and 4. Russell George.
Elin Jones: The proposal is to note the committee's report. Does any Member object? No. The motion is therefore agreed.
Elin Jones: Item 8 is next: the Plaid Cymru debate on reducing NHS pressures. I call on Rhun ap Iorwerth to move the motion.
Elin Jones: Delyth Jewell to reply to the debate.
Elin Jones: Well, it's fine to think about coming on to them, but we are already two minutes over time. I'll allow you a minute or so to conclude.
Elin Jones: The Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport to contribute to the debate, Dawn Bowden.
Elin Jones: Well, I'm pleased to hear that your ties are a matter of international interest [Laughter.] I'd like to reinforce, in my response to you, and urge Members here to look at the opportunities they have as individual Members, as members of committees, to travel and to engage with parliaments and with projects right around the world, so that we can enrich our work here in terms of policy...
Elin Jones: The Commission supports opportunities to promote and showcase our Parliament and its innovative work on the international stage. This includes supporting Members to participate in international networks and facilitating programmes for visiting parliamentary delegations, such as the Canadian federal Parliament last week, and welcoming diplomats to this place, such as the representation from...
Elin Jones: You're trying to tempt me now to give you all kinds of political answers to that question. I don't think it's a secret to anybody to hear me say as an individual that I'm in favour of more devolution of powers to this Senedd. However, in the context of this specific question regarding the strike next week, to confirm once again that there is no specific dispute between us and our local staff...
Elin Jones: The Commission is not involved in any formal negotiations with trade unions representing Commission staff at present. The current pay arrangements of the Commission are in place until March 2025, and the Commission enjoys a positive partnership with its local officials. The British representatives of PCS have confirmed that there is a formal dispute, however. The strike on 1 February is as a...
Elin Jones: Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Peredur Owen Griffiths.
