Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:11 pm on 12 January 2021.
I thank Members for their comments, which I think fairly reflect the correspondence and the course of discussions that have taken place on this matter. As ever, we're left with a practical consideration. If we could have our ideal format, then we'd have a different arrangement in front of the Senedd, but we have to balance what I think are the clear benefits to the public and to patients from having an improved medical device information system right across the UK that we participate in as fully as possible. And I believe that we should move forward on the basis that we now have.
It is, of course, possible that we may be able to do more, but as I've indicated in my correspondence, Northern Ireland and Scotland already gave consent before the memorandum of understanding was developed—that came directly from the conversations that I had with the UK Government. So, there has been progress. We are further forward along the road of effection than we were several months ago, and I believe that it is appropriate for the Senedd to give its consent and for us to not just engage in Government-to-Government engagement, but, as I've indicated in correspondence to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, this would allow reporting on a regular basis to the Parliament as well about the function of the new system, and I think that oversight from the parliamentary scrutiny side is just as important here as it is in any other Parliament within the United Kingdom. I ask Members to support the motion before us.