Well, as I say, the First Minister had instigated this review prior to PAC scrutiny, and I mentioned that I’d been interviewed by the official responsible for the review. Obviously, NRW is a very large organisation and body within my portfolio, so, obviously, I have had discussions around the issues that you’ve raised in the Chamber.

Despite the issues that I’ve just mentioned around NRW’s—what they’ve had to deal with over the past few years, I think they have absolutely sustained their level of service. Also, since it was formed, they’ve been subject to three formal reviews, all of which were published last year. Two of these reviews were undertaken by the WAO. There was a probationary report, which was undertaken on behalf of Welsh Ministers, examining the first two years of NRW. It found that NRW had adopted a sound approach, establishing key systems and controls to enable its smooth creation. We had a probationary report into value for money and that report concluded there had been a sound and well-structured approach to establishing NRW and thus had given NRW a solid platform for continuing to realise the intended benefits of its creation, and for tackling the future challenges it will face.

A third review was undertaken by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s Better Regulation Delivery Office—that’s now Regulatory Delivery—and a regulatory competence review, which recommended the use of civil sanctions in a way that is compliant with the principles of good regulation. Taking into account the context of a newly formed organisation going through a very radical transformation and having to manage some unique issues during its first few years, I do not believe the PAC scrutiny has revealed any wider systematic failing by NRW. However, the awarding of the timber contract is an issue that must be addressed, and it is being addressed. It’s something that I have reiterated in my discussions with the chief executive and chair.

NRW’s success to date can be measured in its delivery of their statutory duties and Welsh Ministers’ aspirations in their annual remit letters. In my view, this shows how committed its workforce is to achieving the best outcomes for Wales, and whilst the PAC report, of course, highlighted some weaknesses, I do want to take this opportunity to thank the NRW staff for their commitment during a period of change, which, of course, is still under way. So, on behalf of Welsh Ministers and the Welsh Government, I would like to thank PAC for their report.