Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you to all Members, and the Minister, that have contributed to this afternoon's debate. After the horrendous scenes witnessed on the international television during last June's Denmark versus Finland match during the Euros, I, like so many others, was moved to work with Members from across the Chamber to champion the need for universal defibrillator access, especially on our sports fields, in our community halls, and along our high streets, and I thank all those Members who signed my statement of opinion before recess on this matter.

And whilst I'm incredibly pleased to see that colleagues of all colours wish to passionately debate this motion, during the time since we've started this session this afternoon until the close of business later today, it is estimated that 14 individuals will have suffered from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the United Kingdom. For every minute that goes by without the application of CPR and defibrillation, their chance of survival will reduce by up to 10 per cent. That's why this afternoon's motion is so very important. Here on these benches, the Welsh Conservatives have worked with the Government to ensure that CPR is taught in schools and communities right across Wales. And I echo the warm words of Members here who've championed the work of former Member Suzy Davies on this. However, now marks the perfect opportunity for the Welsh Government to be ambitious, to build upon the success and take a further step. As we've heard this afternoon, it's simply this: the closer an individual is to a defibrillator, the greater their chance of survival becomes.

Over the last few years, we've seen communities across Wales step up to the plate by fundraising and organising the instalment of publicly accessed defibrillators. The Member for the Vale of Clwyd rightly thanked charities for the role they have played in distributing life-saving kit to communities in his constituency, and, as the Member from Blaenau Gwent rightly pointed out, this shouldn't fall on the shoulders of charities alone. Welsh Government must step up and offer the necessary support, and, while the £0.5 million of extra funding is welcomed, Minister, you highlight the complexities of bringing stakeholders together; I would argue that it is the role of Welsh Government to play in bringing those stakeholders together to bring about the necessary change. And as the Member for the Vale of Clwyd rightly pointed out, quick access to a defib will take pressure off the Welsh ambulance service, who say there are 4,100 publicly accessible defibrillators spread across the country. However, the British Heart Foundation are reporting that there are likely to be hundreds or even thousands of life-saving defibrillators in communities across Wales that have yet to be registered with the ambulance service. To put it simply, if the Welsh ambulance service don't know they exist, then nor do the general public—a point raised eloquently by the Members for Ynys Môn, Aberconwy, and South Wales Central earlier on—and the statistics reflect this.

It is estimated that publicly accessed defibrillators are used in less than 10 per cent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. And we've heard today the story of the Member from Blaenau Gwent—and not to inflate his ego any further, we are very grateful to ensure that he is still here with us, contributing to Welsh politics. But he is absolutely right to raise the point that it's not the stories of those who survive we should listen to, but the harrowing stories of those who have not survived, including the rugby player Alex Evans, the cricketer Maqsood Anwar, who both sadly lost their lives earlier this year due to not having access to a defibrillator. And I'm sure all of us in our constituencies have heard of other stories of those who have sadly lost their lives, and that's why I believe there is such cross-party consensus here on this topic today.

And we've heard clearly of the situation in Wales and repeatedly that this isn't about politics, as the Member from Ynys Môn rightly pointed out; this is about genuine change that can save lives. And I know politicians are often bandied around as not having much common sense, but it seems to me that common sense should prevail in this instance, that this should be a matter that the Welsh Government take forward with gusto to ensure that this life-saving equipment is available to all who may, sadly, need it at any one time. Therefore, I hope that Members can support our motion today to bring about this necessary change. Diolch yn fawr.