Sam Rowlands: Thank you, Minister, for bringing forward today's statement, 'Diversity in Democracy—Survey Results'. Thank you also, Minister, for the advance sight of the statement for Members today as well. As you outlined in your statement, Minister, the decisions councillors make have that real-life impact on our communities across Wales as a whole, and on this side of the benches we certainly welcome...
Sam Rowlands: I thank Llyr Gruffydd for raising this important point, which, of course, is a broader issue not just around carpal tunnel syndrome, but around the fact that many people who have paid their taxes or national insurance over many decades are unable to gain treatment in a reasonable, timely manner, as something that they have paid for, for many, many years. So, I wonder first of all, Minister,...
Sam Rowlands: I'm sure that's a very helpful contribution, Llywydd. We're here to scrutinise and talk about the Welsh Government budget and statement made here today. I'm sure the Member would like to get elected to Westminster if she wants to scrutinise the Westminster budget in the future. Secondly, Minister, there are some serious questions to ask here about your consideration of council reserves, in...
Sam Rowlands: I'd welcome an intervention. Yes, no problem at all.
Sam Rowlands: Certainly, I'd love to hear the intervention.
Sam Rowlands: We're living in a place and a time where it's better to be alive than ever before, and we've heard contributions today that seem so negative about this country. It's pretty depressing. We have a welfare system that is one of the most supportive in the world, and we're making great strides towards a sustainable and green country across the United Kingdom and here in Wales. And of course, there...
Sam Rowlands: I thank the Minister for bringing forward today's statement on the draft budget. I gather I'm probably towards the end of this debate today, and there's been quite a range of contributions, and listening to a number of the contributions, you'd think we'd be living in a time and a place that is pretty dire. But I just want to remind us all that we are probably living in one of the greatest...
Sam Rowlands: I'd like to ask for a Welsh Government statement on the announcement that Vivarail Ltd have gone bust. As you know, plans to increase rail services in the north Wales border area are now on hold, after the company, Vivarail Ltd, who were supplying these trains, went into administration. You'll recall that it was back in 2018 that Transport for Wales made the deal with Vivarail for refurbished...
Sam Rowlands: Can I first of all join you, First Minister, in giving credit to those local authorities for the work they do already in looking to prevent homelessness, but recognise the challenge that they have at the moment, particularly over this Christmas period? As we know, there are around 14,000 people in Wales currently in temporary accommodation, and in evidence-taking through the Local Government...
Sam Rowlands: Can I thank Mabon ap Gwynfor for giving me a minute of his time here today? I appreciate that I may be on a different page to Mabon, who made the points that have been raised here, but I'm genuinely interested in listening and understanding some of the perspectives of others' points of view around nuclear energy. I did note that there was a fairly quick acknowledgment at the start of your...
Sam Rowlands: Thank you, Presiding Officer. I'm grateful today to be able to move our motion regarding business rates for self-catering accommodation, in the name of my colleague Darren Millar. And in opening today's debate, I'd first like to clarify that this is not a debate on the rights and wrongs of the 182-day regulations that were announced earlier this year, and, as you know, on this side of the...
Sam Rowlands: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and could I thank the Petitions Committee for bringing forward today's important report in front of us here today? And can I also put on record my admiration for the friends and family of Mark, who I know are in the public gallery here today, and applaud their efforts in ensuring that this issue is debated here today in the form of a report? As already...
Sam Rowlands: Thank you, Minister, for your response and for the support that has already been given to the voluntary sector in my region in north Wales. Last month, I had the pleasure of visiting Freshfields animal rescue centre in Nebo near Caernarfon. I must say, I met a wonderful kitten there called Benji, who I was very tempted to take home with me. They carry out fantastic work in supporting...
Sam Rowlands: 3. What support is the Welsh Government providing to the voluntary sector in North Wales? OQ58829
Sam Rowlands: Can I join the Member for Ynys Môn in highlighting some of the issues that businesses in Menai Bridge are seeing at the moment with the closure of Menai Bridge? I also agree with him on some of the positive steps that Welsh Government are making at the moment to support those businesses there. I was able to join a meeting on businesses in Menai Bridge with the Member for Parliament for...
Sam Rowlands: Diolch, Llywydd, and can I say what a pleasure it is to close today's debate on small businesses, ahead of Small Business Saturday, of course, which is taking place, as we heard, this weekend? As outlined by Paul Davies in opening today's debate, this will be the tenth year in which we mark Small Business Saturday and celebrate with our counterparts across the United Kingdom the 5.6 million...
Sam Rowlands: Can I join Ken Skates in calling for and highlighting the opportunities there are in terms of that cross-border collaboration in north-east Wales and north-west England, especially on transport there, where we see around 200,000 people cross that border on a daily basis? But, indeed, there are other opportunities, which I think the Mersey Dee Alliance, as a great example, is looking to...
Sam Rowlands: Could I join Jack Sargeant in recognising some of the really important services that our local authorities provide day in and day out, especially at times of difficulty that many are experiencing at the moment? And as has all ready been highlighted by a number of Members around the Chamber, those local authorities are again experiencing some challenges in terms of their financial situation....
Sam Rowlands: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and can I say what a pleasure it is to close today's Welsh Conservatives debate on Changing Places toilets? I'd like to thank all Members who have taken part and, in particular, for the cross-party support that the motion has received across the Chamber today. In closing this debate, I'd like to focus on perhaps three points that I think have been picked...
Sam Rowlands: Thank you for your response, Minister. As you will know, I'm always interested in understanding the economic benefits, especially for my patch up in north Wales, in terms of offshore energy production. I'm sure, Minister, you'll agree with me that tidal energy has a great opportunity not just in supporting our climate, but also in bringing direct job opportunities and new investment into our...
