Mick Antoniw: ...humanity, placing human welfare and happiness at the centre of their ethical decision making. Humanism is a philosophy that supports democracy and human rights. It seeks to use science creatively not destructively to seek solutions to the world's problems through human thought and action rather than divine intervention. Bertrand Russell, a great British philosopher and humanist, who made...
Elin Jones: ...no direct involvement in the decision taken in the investment allocation decision that the pension board has just taken, but I think it is appropriate for you, should you wish to do so, to make representations to the pension board. As Assembly Members, we have representatives on that board that we've elected as Assembly Members, and also, of course, the Commission has representatives on...
Andrew RT Davies: ...deal, or would a bid have to come directly to you, or to the Welsh Government, I should say, to release capital moneys for the development of this road, because, at the moment, certainly from the representations I've had from residents, there is uncertainty as to exactly who picks up the bill for this improvement of transport links?
Mr Neil Hamilton: ...trade, our employment laws. We shall continue to pump our squillions across the Channel. Our laws will remain subject to Euro-judges. Only one significant thing will change: we shall lose our representation in the EU institutions and, with it, our ability to block harmful new laws. Why is Britain, the world’s fifth economy and fourth military power, contemplating a form of thraldom...
Lesley Griffiths: ...over two years, so I think it is the appropriate time for them to be reviewed, and I think it's time that we also consider whether other animals should be microchipped. Certainly, I've had a lot of representation around cats being microchipped, so I've asked officials to look into that for me. I think the point you raised about sanctuaries was very pertinent, and the definition of an...
Julie James: Thank you for that. There's a range of different issues raised there. Obviously, the whole point of Refugee Week is to combat some of the media representations. I entirely agree with Siân Gwenllian that a large part of the problem has been some of the—I don't know how to describe it—hysteria and hyperbole. Its really very detrimental reporting, and entirely untrue, usually. I think I'm...
Mark Isherwood: ...one of the four integrated autism service, or IAS, areas where the service has been launched are now saying they just want to become a diagnostic service and lose their support worker function? Another area is already making representations that, despite already receiving an extra £150,000 to £170,000 annually from local authorities and health boards on top of their IAS funding, they...
Elin Jones: Siân has chosen to focus on one important aspect of this agenda, one that ensures greater diversity of representation in our National Assembly, and within that, she's raised the question as to whether allowing Assembly Members to job share could lead to the creation of a more gender-balanced Assembly. The Member, as she has described, will be aware that this was a matter raised by the expert...
Siân Gwenllian: ‘Enabling candidates standing for the same party or as independents to stand for election on the basis of job sharing arrangements could lead to an increase in the diversity of representation within the Assembly. The flexibility to stand on the basis of job sharing could be particularly beneficial for older candidates, those with disabilities, or those with caring responsibilities.’...
Siân Gwenllian: ...and Julie Morgan are eager to contribute too, and I look forward to hearing their contributions. A few weeks ago, I led a short debate in this Chamber about the need to improve gender equality and representation among minority groups at this Assembly. I do believe that having more women—indeed, an equal number of women—in posts where decisions are made is important as we strive to be a...
David Melding: ...where the policy gaps are. I think it's already had a broad welcome across the sector, so congratulations on that. I think the recommendations are constructive and well thought through, and, as is noted, the legislative framework is a pretty robust one now, and it is aimed at prevention above all. And I think it's fair to say that it's attracted some attention around the UK, so we start...
Alun Davies: ...in all parts of Wales at the moment in terms of how we deliver local government. I want to strengthen that accountability, but I also want to see how we can ensure that we have a diversity in representation in local government. There have been a number of reports in front of this place over many, many years that have described the lack of diversity in local government. The Member for Arfon...
Alun Davies: My views on support of proportional representation are well known and are already on the record. The policy of this Government has not changed since I made an oral statement on this matter in January.
Alun Davies: Llywydd, what would be most insulting would be to finish a consultation yesterday and inform you of the decision today, without considering any of the representations made to us over the past months. That would be most insulting to those people who have participated in this discussion. But may I make this quite clear? I met with Professor Prowle last week, and I had a long conversation with...
Vaughan Gething: ...plans, and I'll again be happy to share those with the committee for any comment that they wish to make. However, the level of detail in the amendment, to me, still appears to pre-empt the ability not just of the Government but of a future committee, or otherwise, of this Assembly to determine the greatest value and concern they would have for the evaluation, at some point, roughly, in the...
Vaughan Gething: ...a nation, we regularly talk about diet, exercise, smoking and alcohol. The challenge that we've set ourselves is: is this piece of legislation a useful way to generate greater public health gain or not? And we believe that it is. It is not just the view of this Government, of course; we have consulted previously on introducing a minimum unit price in Wales, once in 2014 as part of the...
Mick Antoniw: ..., and then Teresa May, whom I met with on the occasions, refusing to hold such an inquiry, despite considerable amounts of new evidence and documentation coming. And the reason it's important is not only the number of Welsh miners who were arrested, charged and then successfully prosecuted—took action against—the police for malicious prosecution, but it's the fabrication of evidence...
Bethan Sayed: I wonder whether we could have a statement on how the Welsh Government is promoting the arts in international festivals worldwide. I ask because I've had representation from a poet currently living in Brittany, originally from Wales, who is interested in the promotion of Wales at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in Brittany. Seventy thousand people go to that festival. In 2006, it was...
Andrew RT Davies: Sadly, from that answer, First Minister, you give an indication that you made no representations whatsoever to the chief executive or the airline about these remarks. If it was a small business in Wales, or a medium-sized business in Wales, I'm sure that, given the social contract that you've developed, you would be, obviously, demonstrating your dislike of the comments that were made and...
Andrew RT Davies: ...Government, and I'm sure everyone in this Chamber, want Wales to be the most feminine friendly country and allow pathways to every opportunity in Wales, irrespective of whatever sex you are. What representations did you make to the chief executive of Qatar airlines about these comments, given that they are a strategic partner of yours and, not only that, you have put a lot of public...
