Members, it's a shame we need to have this debate today, as it shouldn't really be needed, and I fear, Deputy Llywydd, that many of us will be saying the same things, because they're strong messages and we believe passionately in them. It can only be right that, as the decisions on how the COVID pandemic is handled are devolved to the Welsh Government, then it has to follow that the scrutiny and accountability associated with all of that happens in Wales also. And it should also have its own Welsh focus via a Welsh independent inquiry. 

If, throughout the pandemic, devolved nations had agreed to a consistent UK approach, then I think there would have been a fair case for having just a Welsh chapter within a UK-wide inquiry, but, throughout the last 16 months, we have seen different interpretations of the medical and scientific advice, leading to Wales-only deliberations. And there's nothing wrong with that. This has also happened in Scotland and in Northern Ireland, and they too should conduct their own public inquiries. Today, once again, we have heard from the First Minister, who shared the Government's perspective, a different perspective, and that is fair as well. But, again, it shows that different decisions are being made here and need to be held to account here.

Many times, we have seen and heard Government spokespersons levelling criticisms on UK Government actions, rightly or wrongly at times, and I know that many people often have felt that some decisions have been made in Wales purely for a desire for political differentiation and no other reason. Now, I'm not saying that is the case, but there is a perception out there, and those of us who are charged with making decisions have to be held to account for our decisions. And where those, in this case, are made by the Welsh Government, it is only right and proper that we have our own public inquiry to look at all aspects of the pandemic and how it was managed. 

It must also highlight what worked well and identify what hasn't, and what lessons we need to have learnt from this awful journey we've all been on. So many Welsh people have been affected in so many ways, and many need Welsh answers and a desire to understand why certain things happened or didn't happen. Deputy Llywydd, I know there was no manual on how to manage a pandemic, and I can only imagine how hard it must have been for Ministers and the Government to take some of the decisions they have during the most and extreme and challenging times. And we thank them sincerely for that, but the people of Wales deserve their own inquiry. 

A public inquiry isn't about trying to catch people out, but more about what I said earlier—to learn lessons so that we can be totally prepared if, heaven forbid, we find ourselves in a similar situation. So, Deputy Llywydd, I won't go on—the message is clear—but, for the good of the Welsh people, I urge Members here to support this motion. Thank you.