Paul Davies: Llywydd, can I also associate myself with the comments made by the Member for Caerphilly? And our thoughts and prayers are with Jack Lis's family today. First Minister, in your view, how long should an 85-year-old wait for an ambulance after suffering a stroke?
Paul Davies: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, and can I thank the Minister for his statement this afternoon? Of course, I share the Minister's commitment to developing a greener economy, and he will have heard me call for action on this front on several occasions. We need to build momentum from the ground up to deliver the behavioural and cultural change needed to develop a green economy, and at the heart of that...
Paul Davies: First Minister, earlier this year, the Climate Change Committee said that current plans in Wales were simply not sufficient. Indeed, of the 61 risks identified by the committee in its risk assessment of the impact of climate change in the UK, it was worrying to see that 26 of the risks have increased in urgency since the last report back in 2016. Only one in Wales, just one, has decreased in...
Paul Davies: Yes, First Minister, and as nations come together at COP26, we have a crucial opportunity to make some serious progress in tackling climate change. Of course, it requires nations working together, and I hope that the Welsh Government and all Governments across the UK will do just that—build consensus and seek to work with partners internationally to make the progress needed to start...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, yesterday, you said that hope is needed to tackle climate change and that people need confidence and trust to make changes in their own lives, and yet this debate generally motivates the usual collection of think tanks, celebrities, politicians and pressure groups. Of course, in reality, much of what is needed will rely on people and families changing their...
Paul Davies: What is the Welsh Government doing to support the voluntary sector in Pembrokeshire?
Paul Davies: Can I thank the Minister for his statement today? I'm pleased the Minister has confirmed that he's starting a conversation about how the Welsh Government can work together for a team Wales recovery. However, this should have been the Minister's primary objective since he was appointed economy Minister almost six months ago. Now, as we move forward, the Welsh Government has an opportunity to...
Paul Davies: If you don't commit to a specific Wales inquiry, people will think that your Government is evading scrutiny and refusing to make itself accountable to its people. While the UK-wide inquiry will rightly consider inter-governmental decision making, a Welsh inquiry could solely focus on your Government's handling of the pandemic. And let us not forget that it was the Welsh Government that was...
Paul Davies: But, First Minister, there's no reason why the Welsh Government can't take part in a UK-wide inquiry and a Welsh inquiry. An open and a transparent Government must be accountable to the people it serves, and the people of Wales deserve answers. 'Responsible, but not held responsible' seems to be the mantra of this Welsh Labour Government. Now, organisations like the bereaved families group,...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, yesterday you made it clear that you were seeking reassurances from the UK Government that a UK-wide COVID inquiry will have a sufficient focus on decisions made here in Wales. If you're so concerned that a UK-wide inquiry won't probe the Welsh Government enough, then why don't you commit to an independent Welsh inquiry?
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. On behalf of the Welsh Conservative Senedd group, I send my heartfelt sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Sir David Amess. The terrible news of his death has been met with shock, anger and sadness by so many across the United Kingdom. It's clear that Sir David was well respected and well liked across the political divide. Tributes and messages from so many...
Paul Davies: Minister, you may be aware that Pembrokeshire County Council is currently considering the future of its waste and recycling centres, and the options include reducing the number of sites operated by the council and reducing the opening hours of all sites. Now, I can't emphasise the importance of waste collection and recycling to our environment and, indeed, to our health, and should residents...
Paul Davies: 4. Will the Minister make a statement on the delivery of local public services in Pembrokeshire? OQ56992
Paul Davies: First Minister, there is a serious issue here for patients trying to get access to their GPs. Mair Hopkin from the Royal College of General Practitioners has said that the crisis in GP surgeries actually predated COVID, with a lot of patients finding it difficult to get an appointment before the pandemic, and having to wait several weeks for an appointment. We've heard from Dr Phil White,...
Paul Davies: First Minister, as you will be aware, as well as struggling to access mental health services, there are also people across Wales who are really struggling to access their GP, as mentioned earlier on in this session. The pandemic has exposed the fact that there are not enough doctors and staff in primary care. Whilst I understand that there has been recruitment activity taking place, that's...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, last Sunday was World Mental Health Day, and before I go on to ask my questions, I'm sure that you and everyone in this Chamber will join me in sending our very best wishes to our colleague Andrew R.T. Davies as he takes some time now to focus on his own health. I appreciate that the Welsh Government has provided some additional funding to reprioritise mental...
Paul Davies: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. As you said, I rise to contribute as Chair of the Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee. Now, the Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee did consider this memorandum on 16 September 2021, with a reporting deadline of last Thursday. I note that the report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee on this memorandum has made nine...
Paul Davies: Oh, come on, First Minister, if motorists trapped on a gridlocked M4 are the most environmentally friendly policy the Welsh Government's got, then we are in serious trouble, aren't we? Now, First Minister, not only is climate change affecting our communities and people, but it's also affecting our natural world and wildlife too. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity COP15 will take place...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, in 2019, the Welsh Government declared a climate emergency. Since that declaration, can you name one significant measure that you've introduced as a Government to combat climate change?
Paul Davies: Well, First Minister, you were doing some of that before then, anyway, and the reality is that not enough has been done since that declaration to seriously address climate change in Wales. Progress to date has not been fast enough to ensure that Wales will have net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. And let me remind you that a report by the committee on climate change told us that Wales was not...
