Rhun ap Iorwerth: I could speak here about the challenges that we face with the railways that we have at present, and they are significant challenges and I hope that the Minister is aware of them. People won't be patient forever, waiting for the new trains where the timetables have been slipping. There is frustration about the lack of toilets and about the slowness of the introduction of bilingualism on the...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I think things are moving pretty quickly in response to the Supreme Court ruling earlier today. We know that, in the United States, Democratic Senators are beginning impeachment steps against President Trump and we are hearing that opposition Members of Parliament are considering beginning impeachment processes against Boris Johnson, should he refuse to resign. Now, as a party, we will...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much for giving way. All I wanted to make was the point that, yes, this strike is a symptom of failure, the failure to get to grips with the climate emergency that we're currently facing.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: It has taken four and a half years, but I will claim it as a minor victory.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Well, I will sit down immediately and say, ’Thank you very much.’ But this is an issue that goes back a long way. I think it was in 2014-15 that I was in correspondence with the DVSA about this issue, because you're quite right in saying that the tests are available in Welsh and have been for years, but given that the online revision material isn't available—surprise, surprise—what...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: 'You'll see from our letters to the Commissioner that we propose to re-examine the potential costs and benefits of developing an online driving theory test practice service in Welsh.'
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I note in answers to both myself and other Assembly Members today you have mentioned health first of all as the priority, and all of us, of course, prioritise health, but can I ask you to draw together health and social care in your consideration of what happens to local government funding? Because there's every danger that by pumping into health what some may deem to be necessary for health,...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: ‘Best possible settlement’, I'm afraid, doesn't give me the confidence I'm seeking, and I'm sure it wouldn't give the confidence that local authorities are seeking either. In the past, a flat settlement has been sold to local government as being good news. It is not. I mentioned Ynys Môn in the Chamber yesterday, saying that they needed £6 million. The figure varies from council to...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much. After a decade of pressure on local government budgets in Wales, they can't face any more cuts, or even stay flat in terms of funding. Can you give us an assurance that local government will be prioritised for 2020-21 with a significant real-terms increase in their budgets?
Rhun ap Iorwerth: 6. What discussions has the Minister had regarding the availability of tests and revision material for the driving theory test in Welsh? OAQ54328
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I think the budgetary context is changing so much and the chaos that we face is intensifying to such an extent that it’s very difficult to come to any definite conclusions on what the likely impact of the Chancellor’s statement would be. We can't say what the value of the additional £593 million would be, and I use the word 'additional' in quotation marks. It’s very difficult to say...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: The current scheme has come to an end, of course, and there are implications to that. Rightly or wrongly, the free swimming scheme has become a crucial part of how local government pays for its leisure services, because of the unsustainable cuts that have taken place in funding. Now, free swimming funding in Anglesey, for example, is cut in half by the decision to revise and, quite simply,...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: As much as I would like to have joined in that discussion, I will ask my own question.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: The announcement about the Orb works in Newport, obviously, was devastating for the workers involved, but it's also devastating for the potential of the steel industry in Wales. I think Tata said that converting the site to producing steels for future electric vehicle production would cost in excess of £50 million. Now, what negotiations did Welsh Government get involved in, in either...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: 8. Will the First Minister make a statement on the decision to end the current free swimming scheme? OAQ54351
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Whilst I’ve always opposed any kind of Brexit and campaigned against Brexit, the evidence is clear about the particular and acute harm of a 'no deal' Brexit. But it’s not just us saying that. That’s why we on these benches are asking you to support not only the main motion today but also our amendments, one of which, amendment 6, calls for the publication of the Yellowhammer document,...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: When core values are under threat and fundamental principles are trampled underfoot, it is the duty of each one of us to do everything possible to withstand that. We are today proud of jointly tabling a motion that states that the recent actions of the UK Government are a constitutional outrage, and reminds us of the terrible perils of a 'no deal' Brexit: the warnings about threats to jobs;...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: —both he and I agree is inadequate? So be brave.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: This institution is 20 years old this year, which is a source of great pride for me, and I speak certainly on behalf of most Members here in the Chamber that we can look back at that event a little over 20 years ago where we decided to take that first step along the path of devolution and self-government to Wales, never mind how nervous that initial step was. But it was very clearly...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: On 20 July 1969, man landed on the moon and, 50 years later, I want to commemorate the event, yes, as a major step for mankind, but also as an incredible step in the career of a man from Anglesey who was one of the major architects of the moon landing. Tecwyn Roberts was born in Llanddaniel in 1925. Having started his career as an apprentice in the Saunders-Roe aircraft factory on the...
