9. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's input into the National Grid's application to the Planning Inspectorate to build pylons across Ynys Môn? OAQ52702

The Welsh Government is a statutory body for nationally significant infrastructure projects in Wales. As part of the processes, we have responded to the pre-application consultation and we are currently considering the evidence presented for the development consent order application.

That application has been submitted, but the grid, since the beginning of this process, haven't given an inch in response to the pressure from me, the Member of Parliament, the council or, more importantly, the unanimity of the people of Anglesey that we need to underground these cables, and let's recall that this Chamber favoured undergrounding rather than pylons and voted for that. You said in January that you'd remind the grid of that. So, what was their response? But, more importantly, will you give a commitment to push as much as possible as Welsh Government to ensure that the British Planning Inspectorate realises that the democratic views of this Parliament have been expressed, and that they must respect that? And, with a further suggestion that a tunnel that could put cables under the Menai could cost £300 million, isn't it clear that it would be a scandal if the money, or part of that money, weren't spent on a new bridge to carry cables and vehicles, with the rest being invested in undergrounding?

That is right. We, of course, as a Government have told the grid that it's extremely important to consider a third crossing—a third bridge over the Menai strait—in order to ensure that the cables can go on that bridge. There is a formal agreement between ourselves and the grid to consider these cables, and I would imagine that it would be a totally sensible thing to do if there is any practical problem in relation to that. Because we are a statutory party to this, we will be taking part in the development consent order inspection itself, and we will be looking to develop a statement of common ground with the grid about the project itself. But, of course, the grid knows the views of this Assembly and the views of local people. We, as a Government, want to ensure that any impact on the area is kept to a minimum.

Thank you, First Minister.