Leanne Wood: Counsel General, I've been very disappointed by the way in which the Labour Party has been voting at Westminster in recent weeks on crucial votes surrounding the Brexit process. One of those votes is particularly relevant to you, in your interest as Counsel General. A Plaid Cymru amendment, which would have made legislative consent motions over Brexit in this place legally binding, was not...
Leanne Wood: Go and speak to the sawmill owners.
Leanne Wood: Well, that doesn't sound like much, to be honest with you, Cabinet Secretary. If we are going to create an economy that leaves no-one behind, then we have to ensure that there's a level playing field. When you look at transport infrastructure, broadband speeds—crucial building blocks for many businesses to make a success of things—there's an overwhelming disparity in provision, and...
Leanne Wood: Further detail has emerged this week on your Government's attempts to transform the former industrial areas of the south of Wales, and I think most people would agree that the neglect of the former industrial areas right across this country has been a blight on both Governments in Westminster and various Labour Governments here. While I know the specific Valleys taskforce project is not under...
Leanne Wood: 2. What steps are being taken to improve the economy in the former industrial areas of Wales? OAQ51332
Leanne Wood: 5. What is the Welsh Government doing to boost the rural economy? OAQ51323
Leanne Wood: 3. What representations has the Counsel General made on behalf of the Welsh Government in relation to the Brexit process? OAQ51333
Leanne Wood: 1. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the impact of the UK budget on public sector pay in Wales? 70
Leanne Wood: When it comes to tackling the impact of problematic substance use on human health, there remains little to celebrate. The Government motion today notes, and I quote, 'the progress being made in tackling the harms associated with substance misuse.' But the report actually demonstrates the opposite of progress. The data suggests that a social catastrophe has emerged in our country in recent...
Leanne Wood: You're not answering the question, First Minister, I'm afraid. There were specific allegations about bullying, which you have denied, yet you've said that there were issues and you did deal with them. Now, you haven't explained to us what those issues were, how they were dealt with or whether or not there were, for example, reports produced. Will you now give us the clarity that this Assembly...
Leanne Wood: First Minister, this is your opportunity to clarify the situation. It looks as though you've given two contradictory answers: you say that no allegations were received, but also that there were issues and that you did deal with them. I'll ask you again: what were the issues that were raised with you, and how did you deal with them?
Leanne Wood: Diolch, Llywydd. In the next week, we're expecting a vote to convene a session of the Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister, regarding allegations of bullying in the Welsh Government and whether or not this Assembly has been misled. You've denied that you received allegations of bullying specifically, but you also said that any issues raised with you were dealt with. If you didn't...
Leanne Wood: What efforts are being made by the Welsh Government to address the issue of problem gambling?
Leanne Wood: In recent weeks, I've received many representations from supply teachers, and it's clear that the system that currently exists is uneven, chaotic and exploitative. Agencies are driving down pay rates to such an extent that one supply teacher is now getting less than she was able to earn as a newly qualified teacher two decades ago. Now, that can't be right. Nor can it be right that profits...
Leanne Wood: 1. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on terms and conditions for supply teachers? OAQ51292
Leanne Wood: First Minister, many organisations have been in touch with me in order to express concerns about your intention to abolish the role of the Welsh Language Commissioner and to weaken the fundamental rights of Welsh speakers. But, unfortunately, your Government has accused the language organisations of being too conservative. Groups such as the mentrau iaith and Mudiad Meithrin do a great deal...
Leanne Wood: First Minister, we know that sexual harassment occurs elsewhere in politics and in other industries as well. In fact, we can say that it exists in almost every walk of life. It remains a problem experienced by many people—not exclusively, but mainly, women. And it remains an issue that needs to be tackled. One point we need to consider—all of us, I think—is how we can create the...
Leanne Wood: And I think we can take it, First Minister, that once that information becomes available you'd be prepared to share it with the Assembly as well. Following last week, there are questions over how we can ensure that disclosures are dealt with in a way that's fair to everyone involved. Now, I've found myself asking: how do we as political parties have the resources and the trained personnel to...
Leanne Wood: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, I've already set out my view over the weekend regarding the difficult situation facing the Welsh Government and, of course, Welsh politics as a whole. Plaid Cymru is not prepared to make premature statements about anyone's political future; the issues have not yet been dealt with and the decisions that were made have not yet been examined. We do believe that...
Leanne Wood: Diolch, Llywydd. I'd like to add to the tributes to Carl Sargeant, again, after expressing my condolences and respects to his family and friends and colleagues inside this Chamber and, indeed, across the country. I was elected to this institution in 2003, the same year as Carl Sargeant, and, from my perspective, something that I associate him with is his rootedness and his authenticity. He...
