May I too welcome the opening words of the Llywydd and congratulate her on her ambition with this Bill? Naturally, I agree with the general principles of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Bill. After all, this emanates from the announcement in February 2017 on the establishment of an expert panel to provide unbiased advice on the number of Assembly Members, the most appropriate electoral system, and the minimum voting age for elections in Wales. In this Bill we see the name change of the institution—more on that in a moment—the lowering of the minimum voting age, and other issues such as amending the legislation with regard to disqualification. But there's no further mention made of increasing the number of Members or reform of the electoral system. These issues will be aired in the Plaid Cymru debate that follows this one, and Members will be able to vote on both issues, namely increasing the number of Assembly Members and reforming the electoral system.

It's important to note, as the Chair of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee has already done, the importance of this occasion. This is the first step in the implementation of the vital steps to create a Senedd that's fit for purpose here in Wales, and that the people of Wales deserve. Plaid Cymru is entirely supportive of those aims.

In terms of the major provisions, I'll start with lowering the voting age to 16. Of course, lowering the voting age to 16 for the Senedd elections is something that we very much welcome as a party. Some weeks ago, we had the privilege of holding a joint debate here in the Siambr between Members of this Assembly and Members of the Welsh Youth Parliament, so we look forward to and very much support the provision in the Bill for ensuring that all of the young people of Wales can influence this Senedd.

In terms of the name of the institution, this party is of the opinion that the name 'Senedd' should be used as the official name of the institution in both languages, because the Welsh language, as with this Senedd itself, belongs to all of the people of Wales and represents all of its citizens. Of course, there are examples such as the Dáil, the Knesset and the Duma that come from international examples, and enrich our experience. There is wide-ranging use of the word 'Senedd' already over the past few months here. People fundamentally know what a Senedd is. I think it's rather insulting to suggest that the people of Wales, those who can't speak Welsh, somehow can't understand what a Senedd is. I think that can be insulting to those who don't naturally speak Welsh.

It's important to note that the provision in the Bill emphasises that 'Members of the Senedd' will be the title given to Senedd Members in both languages, and that the 'Senedd Commission' will be the official name of the Commission in both languages. In terms of the intention to introduce the descriptor 'Welsh Parliament', I can understand the reason for having that strapline to explain the function of the Senedd, but there's a discussion to be had at Stage 2, as we scrutinise in greater detail, whether the provision as it currently stands in the Bill is the best way to achieve that explanatory aim. The alternative proposal of the Government is an interesting suggestion in terms of how to achieve that aim as well.

So, I'm very pleased that this debate prepares the ground perfectly for the Plaid Cymru debate, in a moment, on continuing with the work of reform to transform our Senedd and our politics here in Wales. Do vote in favour of the motion. Thank you.