Part of 4. Topical Questions – in the Senedd at 3:42 pm on 3 April 2019.
Can I thank the Member for the important question today, and assure her that we will do everything we can do to ensure that there is a sustainable steel-making sector in Wales, indeed just as we've been doing so since March 2016? I'm very pleased that the Member also identified the fact that Trostre is still a profitable site and that the Welsh Government has been instrumental in supporting the 650 steelworkers at the facility.
I think it's very important to say, Dirprwy Lywydd, that the site could not be sold off in order to close it. It would have to be sold in a way that ensures it has a viable future. I would not wish to speculate too much on what's been reported today, due to, of course, this being a commercially confidential matter between two companies. But I can confirm that the First Minister has spoken today with Hans Fischer and, as a consequence of the discussion that has taken place, we are cautiously optimistic that the sale will be approached in a way that secures the long-term future of the facility.