Huw Irranca-Davies: I thank Andrew for giving way on this point, because he raises the important issue that as part of the peace process, historically, successive Governments have indeed shown their beneficence to Northern Ireland in order to actually solidify the peace process—part of the so-called peace dividend. Absolutely right. This is a whole different kettle of fish. I would ask him to reflect very...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Before I respond to the actual legislative programme, can I just pick up on one point that Simon Thomas made about the issue of plastics and plastics in the marine environment, as well? Whilst it doesn’t figure in here, I suspect this is something we’re going to need to return to, and I might suggest at the end of my short question to the First Minister where that might actually be done...
Huw Irranca-Davies: The First Minister will know that the Welsh Government’s strategies depend very much on front-line delivery, very often from third sector organisations. So, within the Bridgend and Ogmore area, it’s organisations like Drive, like Cartrefi Cymru, like Mirus, and also Bridgend County Borough Council’s supported living service—all of these play a key role in enabling people with...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Thank you very much. In which case, my third of the many I have in front of me will be this one: the First Minister has actually pointed out in here not only a positive, collaborative, collective way forward—and it comes across very clearly—but he’s also carrying a very big stick as well. He has said within his statement today that if this collective, collaborative, positive way forward...
Huw Irranca-Davies: My apologies.
Huw Irranca-Davies: I, like others, welcome the statement today, but also the document, ‘Brexit and Devolution’, as well. I would say, as well, that we commend once again the fact that here within the Welsh Assembly—within the Welsh Government—there is a willingness to step up and show leadership on things that, to many people, they’d say ‘Why is this important?’ And yet if you read the document...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Can I welcome the change of business to actually resolve the outstanding matter of the chairmanship of CCERA? We’ve done very well and I commend the Members who’ve rotated through the chairmanship, having lost the Chair for a short period, but as anybody knows when you go without a Chair for a long period, you eventually do need to rest your legs. It’ll be good to have somebody in pole...
Huw Irranca-Davies: I thank the Counsel General for that response and it seems there’s work in progress going on in his department looking at this. But does he give any cognisance to the concerns that have been raised by commentators that suggest that whilst on the surface who could argue with the concept of a shared prosperity fund—it sounds immensely warm and cuddly and fair and just and everybody will...
Huw Irranca-Davies: I welcome the question, but also the answer as well, because we must recognise that Bridgend, like others, are starting from a relatively low base in terms of Welsh provision. Certainly, in the period that I’ve represented that seat in different institutions, it has provided now a secondary education facility in Llangynwyd. There are demands from parents that it should be more central, and...
Huw Irranca-Davies: 2. What discussions has the Counsel General had regarding the legal implications for Wales of the proposed establishment of a shared prosperity fund by the UK Government? OAQ(5)0040(CG)
Huw Irranca-Davies: It’s just a very brief point: I think one of the things that we shouldn’t miss—I understand that a lot of the focus today has been on designated areas, but I do not want to miss the thing that this report does take us forward on, where it says that ‘The desire of Future Landscapes Wales is to unlock the full potential of all landscapes in Wales, including designated landscapes’. And...
Huw Irranca-Davies: In contributing to this debate, can I just begin by thanking Dafydd and his working group for the work that they have done? This is not an easy pathway to follow, and to bring forward different interests, sometimes competing interests, but to get them onto the same page—and I think the Minister has said in her opening remarks that this is part of a journey, going forward. There will need to...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Thank you, Chair, and could I at the outset thank our clerk and our research and legislative support team, and also our assiduous committee members for the scrutiny of this Bill, which we reported on on 24 May, and we made 12 recommendations? I know the Minister will understand that we are duty-bound to be sticklers for legislative transparency and clarity and rigour of scrutiny, so I know...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Could we, in light of President Trump’s recent cowardly retreat from one of the biggest challenges facing this generation and future generations on climate change, find time for another statement from our Cabinet Secretary on climate change? Last year, when the Cabinet Secretary returned from the talks and the convention in Marrakesh, she made clear the role of nations and regions and...
Huw Irranca-Davies: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. This weekend, the Urdd Eisteddfod comes to the grounds of Bridgend College’s Pencoed campus. Many thousands will travel to the area from across Wales to enjoy the festival of Welsh language and Welsh culture and youth. We are very proud to be hosting the Urdd Eisteddfod and I am very proud of the way in which my own local communities have taken this...
Huw Irranca-Davies: I thank the Cabinet Secretary for that answer. But, speaking as the lapwing champion of the Assembly, I would point out that the birds and habitats directives enable the protection and enhancement of a myriad of important species and habitats across Wales. Our special sites include coastal dunes, blanket bogs, wetlands, marine sites, all under this legislation, and iconic species like the...
Huw Irranca-Davies: 1. What assurances will the Cabinet Secretary give to ensure that the environmental protections in place under EU legislation, particularly the nature directives, will be maintained in Wales following Brexit? OAQ(5)0140(ERA)
Huw Irranca-Davies: Would the Cabinet Secretary give way?
Huw Irranca-Davies: I thank the Cabinet Secretary for his recent visits to the Bridgend area and the ABMU area, but also to the social prescribing that he’s seen working within the clusters in the lower Llynfi valley and the gateway to the Valleys. But also, in the Llynfi valley, he was seeing other networks within the community, along with the Spirit of Llynfi Woodland, along with local schools, along with...
Huw Irranca-Davies: I, and my family, as many have done today, extend our deepest condolences to Julie and all her family in what is a difficult time, but I hope some of the tributes today have been of great solace to her and her family. Former First Minister Rhodri Morgan appeared in person to give evidence to our committee only two weeks ago, for the inquiry ‘A stronger voice for Wales’, and he...
