Paul Davies: You have broken your Assembly election manifesto—that is quite clear from what I've just quoted to you. And your party's manifesto not only committed to ensuring that all residential premises and all businesses in Wales would have access to next generation broadband by 2015, but it went on to pledge that 50 per cent of properties or more should have access to 100 Mbps. Now, we know that...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, can you explain to the people of Wales why the new contract for delivering broadband services has still not been rolled out?
Paul Davies: Well, failing to roll out this new contract is another example of your Government's failure. This is the latest in a long line of broken promises. And let me remind the First Minister that the Welsh Labour party's 2011 election manifesto committed to ensuring, and I quote, 'that all residential premises and all businesses in Wales will have access to Next Generation Broadband by 2015'. Well,...
Paul Davies: Not at the moment. Not at the moment. I would like to make some more progress, thanks.
Paul Davies: Clearly, I accept there are still a number of outstanding issues between the UK and the EU in its current negotiations—not least of all around the nature of the border between the UK and the Republic of Ireland. However, I'm confident that those matters will be resolved during the course of the negotiations, particularly as both the UK Government and the EU have made it absolutely clear...
Paul Davies: In a minute. However, instead of exploring those themes and discussing ways in which we can work closer with businesses and industries to prepare for Britain's withdrawal from the EU, this afternoon we're discussing whether or not another vote should be held or not. And I give way to the Member for the Rhondda.
Paul Davies: The Welsh people, the British people, have made their decision to leave the European Union, and we must now deliver Brexit; we must respect their wishes. And you should respect—[Interruption.] You should—[Interruption.] You should respect their wishes as well, because I would remind the Member that her constituency also voted to leave the European Union. Now, the UK—[Interruption.] Now,...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. I welcome the opportunity to take part in this debate and I move the amendment tabled in the name of Darren Millar. The next six months will shape the way Wales and the United Kingdom engage with the rest of the world for generations to come, as we leave the European Union. For trade, investment, security, immigration, it is vital that we secure the best possible deal for...
Paul Davies: Well, I put it to you, First Minister, there is a theme here, when it comes to holding public bodies to account, and that's a failure on your Government's part to completely make sure that bodies are held to account and are open and transparent. There is no denying that Natural Resources Wales's finances are a complete mess, and I know that this concern is actually shared by some of your own...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, do you believe that Natural Resources Wales is fit for purpose?
Paul Davies: Well, let me remind you, First Minister, that this organisation is, of course, directly accountable to your Government. It's in receipt of £180 million of public money every year, yet they are responsible for a litany of failings, which have significant costs to the public purse. In just five years since its establishment, NRW have had their annual accounts qualified for three consecutive...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Diprwy Lywydd. I’m pleased to take part in this debate. I’d like to, at the very outset, place on record my thanks to the petition organiser, Myles Bamford Lewis, and the countless number of local activists who have gone out of their way to campaign to protect services at Withybush hospital. Today's a very dark day for the people of Pembrokeshire following the disastrous news...
Paul Davies: Thank you, acting Deputy Presiding Officer. I'm pleased that the Cabinet Secretary has confirmed in his statement today that he has been following my Bill with very great interest, and I would urge him, even at this stage, to seriously reconsider the Welsh Government’s position and work with me to create the strongest possible autism Bill that this institution can develop. There is still...
Paul Davies: First Minister, the people of north Wales are in this position as a result of consistent underfunding, downgrading and neglect on behalf of your Welsh Government. Your sheer incompetence to lead this health board to an improved state is having huge consequences for the people of north Wales and the staff who work tirelessly to deliver their care. The people of north Wales deserve a safe and...
Paul Davies: Well, First Minister, this is a health board that has been under direct Welsh Government control for almost three and a half years. What is there to show for your staged improvement and transformation plans? Well, the record speaks for itself: 1,900 patients waited longer than 12 hours at A&E services in north Wales—this is more than all the other health boards combined; this summer, more...
Paul Davies: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. First Minister, are you ashamed of the accident and emergency waiting times at Wrexham Maelor and Ysbyty Glan Clwyd hospitals, which were the worst ever on record, published this month?
Paul Davies: Formally.
Paul Davies: First Minister, this is all about openness, transparency and accountability. You claim in your statement that the investigations are conducted at arm's length from you and your office, yet it is clear that you are having a significant involvement in the direction and remit of this inquiry. Surely, this diminishes any integrity connected to this inquiry, given that you are included in this...
Paul Davies: Well, let me remind the First Member what he said in his statement last week. You made it clear in your statement that these proposals were significant and that you agreed with the majority, which means you did not agree with all. In that case, and in the interests of openness and transparency, can you tell us what you didn't agree with and will you now publish all of these proposals,...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, can you tell us why you vetoed some of the proposed recent changes to the operational protocol recommended by Paul Bowen into the independent Queen's Counsel inquiry into the events surrounding Carl Sargeant's death?
