7. Debate on the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee Report: 'Wales' future relationship with Europe. Part one: a view from Wales'

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:03 pm on 23 May 2018.

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Photo of Mark Drakeford Mark Drakeford Labour 6:03, 23 May 2018

(Translated)

Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'd like to start by thanking the committee for all its work in helping to consider this very important discussion, namely the relationship that the UK will have with the European Union in the future after Brexit. Many of the Members from different parts of the Chamber generally have the same opinion. As David Rees said when he spoke at the outset, Wales is leaving the European Union but we shouldn't leave Europe. But, in practice, this principle will be developed by the broader context in this report. In the brief time that I have left today, Deputy Presiding Officer, I can't present the Government's answer to all of the committee's recommendations, but that response is available to Members in our written response, which was published on 21 May.

I will start, however, with the first series of recommendations, because they go to the core of our call for securing a Brexit that puts the needs of jobs and the economy first.