In February 2018, we issued our report 'UK governance post-Brexit', and its purpose was to examine existing inter-governmental relationships to determine whether they are fit for purpose and to assess whether they need to change. Our inquiry took place against the backdrop not only of 20 years of devolution, but also the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union and our desire to ensure that Wales's interests are not marginalised in the constitutional arrangements that emerge in the UK as a result. The final recommendation of our report was that the Welsh Government enters into an inter-governmental relations agreement with the committee to support its scrutiny of Welsh Government activity in this area.

I'm pleased therefore to be in a position today to formally welcome the reaching of just such an agreement, which is contained in the short report before the Assembly today. The agreement is a very important document. The relationship that exists between Governments in the UK is going to change if we leave the European Union. It will be vital, therefore, that Assembly committees and the National Assembly are able to scrutinise how Governments are working together for the benefit of our citizens across the policy spectrum and with regard to the establishment of common policy frameworks. We believe that the inter-institutional agreement before us today will help to facilitate that process.   

The agreement adopts the same approach that exists in an agreement between the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament. A 2015 report published by the Scottish Parliament’s Devolution (Further Powers) Committee observed that:

'The effectiveness of Parliamentary scrutiny of IGR will depend in part on its ability to be informed of the subject matter and timetable of the discussions between governments.'

That view resonated with us, and, in particular, our belief in the need for transparency around inter-governmental relations and the mechanisms to facilitate them. We believe that the agreement delivers on these points, and I will very briefly outline its requirements, which are set out obviously in more detail in this document, which is before Members. 

The agreement establishes three principles that will govern the relationship between the National Assembly for Wales and the Welsh Government with regard to inter-governmental relations.  These are transparency, accountability, and respect for, and recognition of, the part confidential discussions play between Governments, particularly when developing policy. The agreement applies to the participation of Welsh Ministers in formal inter-governmental structures, including the Joint Ministerial Committee in all its functioning formats, the ministerial forum on the future relationship between the UK and the EU, the British-Irish Council, and various ad hoc inter-ministerial fora of similar standing that exist or may be established.

It provides two important benefits for the work of committees. Firstly, my committee and others, will receive, as far as practicable, at least one month's notice of agenda and key issues to be discussed prior to scheduled relevant meetings, unless the Welsh Government’s participation takes place at short notice. This will enable a committee to express a view on the topic and, if appropriate, to invite the Minister responsible to attend a committee meeting in advance of the inter-governmental meeting. 

Secondly, after each inter-governmental ministerial meeting within the scope of the agreement, the Welsh Government will provide relevant committees with a written summary of the issues discussed at the meeting as soon as practicable and, if possible, within two weeks. Such a summary will include any joint statement released after the meeting and information related to the meeting, including an outline of the positions advanced by the Welsh Government.

In order to monitor progress, the Welsh Government will prepare an annual report on inter-governmental relations. It will be laid before the National Assembly and submitted to my committee. The annual report will summarise the key outputs from activity that is subject to the provisions of this agreement, including any reports issued by relevant inter-governmental fora. It will also comment upon the range of broader inter-governmental relations work undertaken during the year, including dispute resolution, which is going to be of considerable importance.

As I said when we debated our 'UK governance post-Brexit' report just over a year ago now, the UK is in the midst of one of the most important and challenging constitutional reforms it has ever faced, with long-lasting implications for the operation and governance of the UK and the individual nations and regions of the UK. The UK will have to adapt its internal arrangements to ensure that a consequence of leaving the EU is not a greater centralisation of power in London. This agreement marks an important step in how we in the Assembly will scrutinise that process as it unfolds.

Before closing, I would like to express my thanks to the First Minister, the Counsel General and their officials for the positive way in which they have engaged with the development of this agreement. I'm sure that, if we continue in that vein, this agreement will bring benefits not only to the Assembly and Government but also to the citizens of Wales, the nation that we serve. Thank you.