I would like to thank the Minister for her statement today and wish her a happy new year at the beginning of a crucial year for Wales. 

You say that the Welsh Government now recognises that the UK will leave the European Union, and Plaid Cymru agrees. Now that the Conservatives have a majority, we know as a fact that we will leave the European Union at the end of this month. We will therefore use all of our energy from here on in to do everything within our ability to safeguard Wales’s interests and its people’s interests as that process proceeds. So, I welcome this timely statement today.

It’s a cause of concern that inter-governmental structures are yet to be established, as you’ve just mentioned, in order to enable Governments and devolved Parliaments to influence the trade negotiations before they begin. There was some mention, and you’ve already referred to this, about establishing a joint ministerial committee, or a JMC, specifically in relation to trade. Can the Minister provide us with an update as to whether there is any intention to establish that body, because, without it, it’s very difficult to see how your Government will succeed in ensuring that Welsh interests are represented? Could I also ask whether you've had an opportunity to meet with the trade Secretary, Elizabeth Truss, since the election, in order to emphasise the need that Wales’s voice should be heard?

I agree with you that the work of scrutinising the Trade Bill in Westminster will be crucial. Therefore, can you give me any idea as to how this Parliament will have an opportunity to contribute to that work, as it will have a direct impact on our economy here in Wales? I am interested in your plans to introduce amendments to the Trade Bill in the House of Lords. Can you give us any ideas as to what kind of amendments you will seek to introduce?

Turning to the detail of the trade deals that will be negotiated by the UK Government, there was a heated debate at the end of last term as to what would be the best approach in terms of safeguarding our health service in light of possible threats of a trade deal with the United States. Plaid Cymru wants a Welsh veto over any agreement, but your Government’s stance, as you've just said, was that ensuring an official role for the Parliament would be more appropriate. So, have you made any progress in trying to secure this?

America, of course, isn't the only nation that we will be making trade deals with. Australia and New Zealand, as you've already mentioned, will also be high on the list. Now, I know that the Welsh agriculture sector will want to hear a firm, robust statement from you that your Government will do anything it can to safeguard their interests during these negotiations, because many are concerned that cheap lamb and beef from these nations could flow into our market, putting Welsh farmers at a disadvantage. I would also urge you to make it clear to the UK Government that an investor-state dispute settlement would be unacceptable for us here in Wales, as this would enable businesses to sue the Government for providing public contracts to public bodies.

Now, you've mentioned that we need to prioritise trade with Europe, rather than the nations that I've already mentioned, so I would like to know whether you have any plans to introduce a continuity Bill to ensure that our regulations keep pace with changes in Europe.

And, finally, all of the issues that we've discussed today are happening in the absence of an international strategy from the Welsh Government, and such a strategy is crucial now in ensuring that the Government operates in a co-ordinated manner and does strive towards specific targets and outcomes. It's not good enough that this still hasn't been published, with us leaving the European Union in 24 days' time. So, can you ensure that you will publish that strategy for this latest deadline, which is the end of this month? Leaving the European Union will pose huge challenges for us as a nation, but we have survived such challenges in the past, and, in order to ensure the best outcome for the people of Wales, each and every one of us in this Senedd is duty bound to roll up our sleeves and to work hard for the future of Wales, and that means having a robust trade deal in place. And I do very much hope that you will be willing to meet that challenge, Minister.