Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:43 pm on 15 November 2022.
Llywydd, first of all, I thank the leader of the opposition for what he said. We know that he himself has had experience of just how difficult an illness COVID can be, and he's right to draw attention to the fact that thousands of people continue to fall ill from COVID every week here in Wales. That has an impact in those individuals' lives, and it has an impact on our ability to sustain public services and private businesses as well. COVID certainly isn't over.
I read what Baroness Hallett, Judge Hallett, said in opening that particular part of the inquiry. I don't think myself she was suggesting that she would do more if she could. She was simply explaining to people that, within the timescales available to her and her determination to produce a report within the timescale that can have an influence on the way in which future decisions are made, in everything that she does, she will have to focus on the issues that she believes to have the most potential to provide good information, answers and guidance for the future. I'm very happy to leave the inquiry to her now, and that's what we will be doing.