David Rowlands: I wish to start my contribution to the debate by acknowledging that, during this fifth Senedd, there have been some positive interventions with regard to the economy and to transport infrastructure, as well as moves to encourage entrepreneurial activity, but it has to be said, the previous 15 years of Labour rule, at one time ably abetted by Plaid Cymru, have been nothing short of disastrous...
David Rowlands: [Inaudible.]—use of electric vehicles. Has the Welsh Government sought help from the UK Government to implement these? One final point. Reducing the speed limit in urban areas to 20 mph will not help reduce carbon emissions but, as the ministry of transport figures prove, will increase carbon emissions. Why does the Welsh Government ignore this paradox with a proposed implementation of...
David Rowlands: Can I thank the Deputy Minister for his statement this afternoon? Also, can I acknowledge both Lee Waters's and Ken Skates's personal commitment to the cause of carbon-free transport? One cannot doubt that the aims outlined in this report are, indeed, laudable aims. We all want to see a greater use of public transport, more active travel and less use of cars, and where it is not possible to...
David Rowlands: I ask once again: would the Welsh Government make a statement condemning the appalling behaviour of Ursula von der Leyen and the European Commission in the handling of the vaccine roll-out in Europe? As well as threats to block the exports of vaccines to the UK, her obfuscation and u-turn strategies have undoubtedly cost many thousands of lives across the European Union. And further, would...
David Rowlands: This is, as usual, a robust and comprehensive report by the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee and I congratulate Russell George, the committee members, and, of course, the Commission staff who have helped to put this report together. Given the limited time I have, I shall concentrate on the overarching principles and the effects on homeworking, but would say that I am in agreement...
David Rowlands: First of all, can I thank the committee for this report? It is an exhaustive piece of work, both in the scope and its recommendations. Indeed, it's so comprehensive I shall have to confine my comments to what I see as the key elements. But I have to presage my contribution by saying that I feel the Welsh Government over the last five years has gone a long way to addressing many of the issues...
David Rowlands: The truth is, of course, that the amount set aside by the Welsh Government to implement these measures has been identified by farmers, farmers unions and the whole of the farming industry as totally inadequate. Now, whilst I have great respect for the AM for Caerphilly, his reason for not voting against the Government last Wednesday does not cut ice when he says there are two large polluters...
David Rowlands: Yes, diolch, Llywydd. Can I thank all those who've contributed to this debate? But, as always, the arguments put forward by my colleague Caroline Jones are largely ignored. The Welsh Government says it is committed to a zero-carbon economy in Wales and that active travel is to play a significant role in achieving their goals, but a policy of school centralisation will, as Caroline Jones...
David Rowlands: I and my group shall be supporting the Plaid motion. In my five years as a Member of the Senedd, I have never had so many e-mails on any subject. Not only were the correspondents against these measures, they were desperate to have them annulled, because they literally feared for their livelihoods should they become law. Much of my contribution to this debate will duplicate the facts,...
David Rowlands: Can I add my thanks to those of Helen Mary Jones and Russell George in thanking the Minister for involving me in his deliberations throughout the last five years, both as a spokesperson and after? Can I say that I have the highest respect for your abilities and commitment to your duties as a Minister? As the Minister will know, I have been a keen supporter of the Welsh Government's...
David Rowlands: I and my group shall be supporting the Conservative motion. The regulations implementing a blanket set of slurry regulations for the whole of the Welsh farming industry are totally disproportionate, both in cost and implementation. It appears yet again that the many are being punished for the actions of the few. It may also be the case that, even with the few, the majority of pollution...
David Rowlands: It's truly inspiring to welcome representatives of the Youth Parliament for this Plenary session. I'm sure that some of you will aspire to become our future politicians. So, perhaps I can offer a few words of caution if you should do so. First, in whatever endeavours you find yourself involved, try at all times to keep an open mind. Whatever political philosophy you adopt, always be ready to...
David Rowlands: Can I thank the Deputy Minister for his statement? I can say that I share the Deputy Minister's enthusiasm for the foundational economy, as, indeed, I do for the co-operative movement. I believe they both have the ability not just to provide jobs, but also to create a greater degree of community spirit and aspiration. Whilst I acknowledge that the public sector has a very large part to play...
David Rowlands: Can I thank the Minister for his statement this afternoon? I'd also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the generous support you've afforded businesses across Wales in the response to COVID-19, again witnessed by the extra £270 million you announced today. But as we all know, despite the Welsh Government's endeavours, there is and will be a catastrophic consequence for the Welsh...
David Rowlands: Will the Government make a statement condemning the appalling behaviour of the European Commission in banning the import of live bivalve molluscs from the UK? Although they say they are implementing restrictions on all non-European countries, it was agreed that they would not do this in the negotiations that took place prior to Brexit. Even the chairman of the European Parliament Committee on...
David Rowlands: Yes, well, thank you, Jenny. I can assure Jenny that we are, of course, open to any new ideas or innovations that either she, or indeed any of the Commission staff, are able to put forward, and I can assure her that the Commission is fully committed to enhancing the estate's green credentials in any way possible.
David Rowlands: Well, since this topic was previously raised, a number of changes have been made to the limited green space on the estate in order to maximise its biodiversity and well-being value. We grow pears and herbs in the Tŷ Hywel car park, which were regularly used by our catering service before lockdown. We have changed our management of the ground alongside the Senedd, where we now grow a wide...
David Rowlands: Thank you for that answer, Minister. Clearly, the UK Government has access to far greater finances than does the Welsh Government, and it will be very necessary to have those finances to help us recover from the coronavirus. So, can you tell us what discussions you have had or are planning to have with UK Government to support the rebuild of Welsh finances?
David Rowlands: 7. Will the Minister make a statement on the impact that coronavirus has had on the Welsh Government's annual budget? OQ56287
David Rowlands: What assessment has the First Minister made of the implications of the European Union invoking article 16 in regard to COVID-19 vaccines?
