I'm really pleased to take part in this debate today and welcome the support from the Welsh Government for this report, evident in the very positive responses to the recommendations. I particularly welcome the Welsh Government response to recommendations relating to our participation in EU networks, both formal and informal, to ensure there's continued access to these networks for the benefit of civil society and non-governmental organisations.

I'm sure Members will have noted the evidence from Cardiff University and Mudiad Meithrin about Welsh civil society's engagement on the EU civil society landscape, and this opens up access not only to transnational working policy development of mutual benefit to Wales and the EU, but also access to important funding streams. 

I was pleased to engage a team of who I called 'EU funding ambassadors' in a former ministerial role—Hywel Ceri Jones, Grahame Guilford and Gaynor Richards—who identified a wide range of centrally-managed EU funds and other funding streams and networks available to Welsh organisations. I hope that their work and their report and recommendations are still a valid source of intelligence and guidance, informing and supporting those networks as we transition from the EU. 

There is deep concern about the adverse impact of the loss of funding streams, particularly, which have enabled our partners in the public, private and third sectors to engage in transnational networks. In response to recommendation 14, it's helpful to learn that Welsh civil society will be able to access the European transition fund as indicated in the Welsh Government's response to the report. lt's also welcome to see that there'll be longer term support arrangements indicated in the response, and I hope we as a committee can engage and contribute to the shaping of those arrangements after the transition period. 

Like David Rees, I'd like to commend to the Assembly today the importance of recommendation 18 in our report, which asks the Welsh Government to call upon the UK Government to protect the human rights and equality standards that Welsh citizens have benefited from as citizens of the EU. In the evidence, we took account of a range of Wales-EU bilateral relationships, including not only environmental but equality networks and interests. The report cites evidence from Chwarae Teg, when Natasha Davies highlighted the role of EU membership in safeguarding and advancing equalities and human rights, and told us there should be 'no rolling back' of these rights post Brexit. Stonewall Cymru backed these concerns, reminding us that EU law has guaranteed rights that could be undermined with a potential risk to LGBT people in the future.

It's important, Dirprwy Llywydd, that we recognise we have a responsibility and an opportunity to safeguard and develop our role as an outward-looking, internationally-engaged nation. We must not be a bystander as phase 2 negotiations proceed. It's vital that we work together and that the Welsh Government backs our efforts in the committee to encourage the EU and its institutions to engage with governmental and non-governmental organisations in Wales as we transition to Brexit. 

Much of civil society in Wales is engaged in innovation through social action, very often backed by EU funds, empowering the most vulnerable members of our society, strengthening and promoting equalities and protecting our environment. So, in conclusion, I hope this report does justice to all those who are at the forefront of civil society upholding human rights as well as those who inform and guide us on the crucial evidence we have received as a committee as we seek to represent them and give them a voice in this crucial stage of EU negotiations and future transitional periods.