Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Let me begin by thanking all those who have contributed to the report, 'A Parliament that Works for Wales'. It is a robust and thorough piece of work, and it's timely and necessary, as our institutions of Government and scrutiny and democracy in Wales continue to grow to meet new challenges and deliver better for the people of Wales.

The title, 'A Parliament that Works for Wales', carries so much within those few words. It is not a Parliament that works for a political party—a Parliament that works for Plaid Cymru or for Labour or for the Conservatives or assorted others. The title and the intent of the report is to envisage a Parliament that works for Wales and for the people of Wales. The title is also a recognition that the current Assembly, faced with an Executive growing as it has done—and continues to do so—in powers and confidence and maturity, has not commensurately grown its capacity for democratic scrutiny.

I agree with this fundamental finding of the report. The majority of Assembly Members here work exceptionally hard and diligently on behalf of their constituents and for Wales. But, we are underpowered, not in effort but in simple numbers. We can say this confidently in light of comparisons with other regional Governments and Assemblies across Europe and the wider world. I say this confidently as a former member of the UK Parliament too, who has served as a backbencher and a Minister, a parliamentary aide, a committee Chair, and more in Westminster. We are doing ourselves no favours by pretending that we can continue as we are. More importantly, we are doing Wales no favours by keeping up the pretence that we have the capacity to work with our new powers and our new demands, by showing a brave face and saying that we can just work harder and work cleverer. As the report actually says, we are doing that already. It is just not enough on its own. Numbers really matter.

So, the case is compelling. The question is: are we, as the masters of our own destiny, so compelled to act? Or, do we wait and wait and wait, putting off the difficult political decisions forever and a day, until we and the Assembly collapse under the weight of inertia?

But, the report is not only focused on the need for an increase in the numbers of Assembly Members. It's also underpinned with clear principles by which we can deliver progressive change in our democracy and our legislature in Wales.