6. Will the First Minister outline the schedule for the devolution of energy powers under the Wales Act 2017? OAQ51486

Executive competence for the powers relating to the consenting of energy-generating stations and overhead electric lines will be commenced on 1 April 2019. Provisions relating to oil and gas licensing will be commenced on 1 October 2018. 

Thank you for that response, First Minister. When Plaid Cymru voted against legislative consent for this Act, we said that we were doing so because we were losing powers as well as gaining powers. I remember you saying, and the Government saying, that it’s important that we did this because we would get these powers that you have just outlined on energy powers in Wales. Why, then, aren’t you taking this first opportunity, in April of next year, to take on these powers, for example to ban fracking in Wales, something that would receive a broad welcome among the Welsh population? This Assembly is ready for these powers, the people of Wales are ready for these powers, why aren’t you?

Well, it’s all-important that the structure is in place so that we can use the powers. We have requested this—that the powers should be deferred for a few months—so that the structure is in place so that we can take action. We don’t want to be in a position where we take the powers and we’re not ready for them. They’re very complex—they’re powers that we haven’t had previously—but we’re very confident, of course, in terms of the timetable that we’ve agreed with the UK Government, that this is something that gives us an opportunity to put structures in place for when the powers are devolved.