Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. Why has your Government failed to support GPs at a time they are describing as a crisis for the profession?
Paul Davies: I'm sure the Minister would agree with me it's important that financial support available for the Welsh fishing industry actually reaches Welsh fishermen. It's therefore crucial that any organisations that receive Welsh Government funding on behalf of the Welsh fishing industry, now or in the future, are transparent and clear in the way that they spend funds. In the circumstances, could the...
Paul Davies: Will the Minister make a statement on how the Welsh Government is supporting the fishing industry?
Paul Davies: Well, what I've added is clearly that your Government has failed, because the NPS has been an utter failure. The audit office has made that absolutely clear, because, when the NPS was set up, we were told that it would save taxpayers money and make it easier for small businesses to procure contracts. Instead, it has cost taxpayers money and failed to support businesses. So, will you therefore...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, do you think that the Welsh Government's public procurement regime is fit for purpose?
Paul Davies: Well, it's quite clear, First Minister, that your National Procurement Service has of course been a complete and utter failure, failing to achieve its targets and costing the taxpayer when it should be saving money—all of this with a complete lack of competency and direction from your Government. Now, don't take my work for it: a Wales Audit Office report in November 2017 found that,...
Paul Davies: Unquote. At least this helpful intervention shows that the need to protect services at Withybush hospital is not a party political issue, and that, even in the Labour Party, there are some that understand and agree with the voice of local people. Despite this, the health board is determined to push ahead with plans that would directly put lives at risk by forcing people to travel further...
Paul Davies: So, let's fast-forward to 2019, and where are we now? Well, there have been recent reports that the health board are once again revisiting how maternity services should be delivered in Pembrokeshire, following media speculation that Withybush hospital's midwife-led maternity services are set to be reduced to a day staffed service. This would effectively mean that midwives would be on-call for...
Paul Davies: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'm pleased to once again take the opportunity to raise the issue of protecting services at Withybush hospital in this Chamber, and I'm happy to give Helen Mary Jones a minute of my time. I'm sure the topic of my short debate will come as no great shock to the Welsh Government, as I have raised this particular issue on many occasions, not just in this...
Paul Davies: Minister, I'm sure that you'll be aware that projects in Pembrokeshire that have been in receipt of European funding are very varied, ranging from tackling unemployment among young people and supporting specialist innovation in small businesses, to infrastructure projects and expanding the tourism industry. It's important that any follow-up funding programmes do allow communities to play a...
Paul Davies: As the First Minister is aware, last week MPs voted to grant an extension to article 50. Of course, the length of that extension will depend on whether the Prime Minister's current deal is finally approved by Westminster. The First Minister is fully aware that I've supported the Prime Minister's deal because I believe it will respect the result of the referendum, but it would also ensure that...
Paul Davies: Can I thank the First Minister for his statement this afternoon? It is with regret that, for some politicians, across all parties, the process of leaving the European Union has been used as a political football, and I'm disappointed that the First Minister has chosen to contribute to this through his consistent opposition to anything and everything the UK Government has done to break the...
Paul Davies: First Minister, of course I accept that your Government has made statements of intent to address the issues at Cwm Taf, but last week's headlines again shone a light on the Royal Glamorgan Hospital's surprise inspection by the health inspectorate following the tragic deaths I mentioned to you earlier. Now, the inspectorate warned of significant staff shortages that continue to risk the safety...
Paul Davies: Well, it's quite clear, First Minister, that your Government failed for too long to get a grip of the dire situation faced by mothers and families under the care of Cwm Taf university health board. It has been several months since we heard the horrifying news of the loss of 26 babies under this health board's care in the space of two years. And, after a surprise visit by the healthcare...
Paul Davies: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and with your indulgence, can I also take this opportunity to shout 'hallelujah' across the land and congratulate the Welsh rugby team on their fantastic win? And it was also a pleasure to be at last night's event. First Minister, why have mothers and babies been put at risk at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital?
Paul Davies: Minister, I'm sure you'll be aware that Hywel Dda Local Health Board's latest Public Health Wales statistics show that an alarming 12.5 per cent of four to five-year-olds are obese, which is higher than the Welsh average and the second highest health board in the whole of Wales. Once children are obese, they are at real risk of getting even more obese as they get older, and we need to reverse...
Paul Davies: First Minister, the people of Wales are getting restless with this waiting game. You should have delivered a solution for the commuters and communities around the M4 a long time ago. It's time for you to stop dragging your heels and offer further reassurance by telling us how long the people of Wales will now have to wait before they see this project become a reality. Now, you've touched on...
Paul Davies: Well, it seems to me that it's one excuse after another, First Minister. Last time—[Interruption.]—last time, last time—[Interruption.]—last time I questioned you about the relief road in this Chamber, it was as clear then as it is now that, even though successive Welsh Labour Governments have dithered on this topic for nearly 20 years, you are still struggling to find the accelerator...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, when will you make a decision about the future of the M4 relief road, given that the inquiry's report is now on your desk?
Paul Davies: Well, I would ask the Minister to check the record and check last month's debate because, unfortunately, the health Minister did dismiss calls to address this particular issue. Let me remind you as well, Minister, that previous figures have shown that half of people referred for substance misuse rehabilitation in Wales are treated in England, and at Brynawel clients wait months for a space...
