4. 90-second Statements

– in the Senedd at 3:37 pm on 15 June 2022.

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Photo of Elin Jones Elin Jones Plaid Cymru 3:37, 15 June 2022

(Translated)

The next item is the 90-second statements, and the first today is from Darren Millar.  

Photo of Darren Millar Darren Millar Conservative

Diolch, Llywydd. This week marks the fortieth anniversary of the liberation of the Falkland Islands, following their invasion by Argentinian forces on 2 April 1982. The small British overseas territory in the south Atlantic was liberated by British forces on 14 June. The conflict saw 26,000 service personnel deployed in the air, on the ground and on the sea, and they were deployed to defend British sovereignty, democracy and freedom.

Many of those courageous military personnel were, of course, from our small nation of Wales, with the Welsh Guards playing a key role in the conflict. The guards, though, paid a high price for the liberation of the islands, losing 48 personnel and sustaining 97 casualties, more than any other British unit. The bombing of the RFA Sir Galahad alone took the lives of 32 Welsh Guards, when the ship was set ablaze after being bombed by the Argentines in Port Pleasant. Those scenes, of course, were watched with horror at home and abroad. 

The events that took place in 1982 had a deep physical, mental and political impact on our nation, the scars of which are still felt today. But that impact was most felt by those brave men and women who fought to liberate the islands. In total, 255 British servicemen, 649 Argentine servicemen and three island civilians, all of them female, lost their lives. This week, as we commemorate the liberation of the Falkands, we must remember and respect all those involved and affected by the conflict, especially those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. We salute them all. 

Photo of Elin Jones Elin Jones Plaid Cymru 3:39, 15 June 2022

(Translated)

The next statement is from Cefin Campbell. 

Photo of Cefin Campbell Cefin Campbell Plaid Cymru

(Translated)

Thank you, Llywydd. I'd like to pay tribute to Phil Bennett, who passed away at the age of 73 over the weekend. Phil was one of the best ever rugby players to represent Wales, the Lions and the Barbarians. For those of us who had the privilege of seeing him play in the red shirt of Llanelli or Wales, it was a feast for the eyes. The way that Benny ran and sidestepped was described as poetry in motion. Phil was born and grew up in Felinfoel in 1948. And although some told him that he was too small to play rugby, under Carwyn James's tutelage, he went on to play 413 games for Llanelli, serving the club as captain for six years. He won 29 caps for Wales, he played 20 games for the Barbarians, he was the star of the Lions tour to South Africa in 1974, and he was captain of the tour of New Zealand in 1977.

But, despite all of these successes, the highlight of his career was that historic victory, 9-3, against the All Blacks at Stradey Park in 1972—the day the pubs ran dry, as Max Boyce said. Phil Bennett scored some of the best tries ever, winning three triple crowns and two five nations championships in the red shirt of Wales. Despite his huge success on the pitch, he was a very modest person, and he was true to his square mile until the very end. Thank you, Phil, for your vast contribution to the sport, to Llanelli, and to Wales, and for leaving such unique memories of a player that we will never see the like of again.

Photo of Sam Rowlands Sam Rowlands Conservative 3:41, 15 June 2022

This week marks Men's Health Week 2022, a week that aims to raise awareness around the health issues that affect men disproportionately, whilst focusing on encouraging men to become aware of problems they may have or could develop, whilst encouraging them to gain the courage to do something about it.

Some of these statistics regarding men's health are quite alarming. As we sadly know, three out of four suicides are committed by men, 12.5 per cent of men suffer from mental health disorders, and men are nearly three times more likely than women to become alcohol dependent. Men are also more likely to use and die from illegal drugs. All of this and more culminates in the fact that the ultimate indicator of health, our life expectancy, means that men die four years younger than women in the UK.

It's clear that many men find it difficult to open up and talk about their health. We heard earlier today some of the positive work that organisations like Men's Sheds—I'm a trustee of the Abergele Men's Shed—can carry out and we must encourage those to exist so that more men can feel open and confident to talk about the challenges they face. 

In closing, I would urge all Members of the Senedd today to join me in taking the opportunity to mark Men's Health Week, raise awareness of the issues facing men, and also encourage them to do something about it. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

(Translated)

The Deputy Presiding Officer (David Rees) took the Chair.