Plaid Cymru debate

In his last Senedd debate as party leader, Plaid Cymru AM Ieuan Wyn Jones argued that the people of Wales were ahead of the majority of politicians when it came to further powers for the country.

In the weekly Plaid Cymru debate on 14 March 2012, Mr Jones noted that in 2012 two thirds of people were in favour of tax varying powers for Wales and that 28% considered the Assembly should be responsible for all taxes.

Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies emphasised that elements of fiscal responsibility would drive accountability.

The question of Wales' relationship with the rest of the UK was raised by Pontypridd AM Mick Antoniw, while other AMs also discussed the issue of regional government.

Labour AM Julie Morgan argued there was scope for the development of more powers for the Assembly, such as youth justice, and said that an in-depth discussion was needed on the possibility of devolving the police service.

First Minister Carwyn Jones AM made the point that constitutional change was taking place in the UK in a very piecemeal fashion and said an overall written constitutional convention was needed within the UK.

Among the tributes paid to Ieuan Wyn Jones was that of Plaid Cymru AM Dafydd Ellis Thomas, who praised Mr Jones' decision to lead Plaid Cymru into government for the first time.

Mr Thomas also outlined Mr Jones' contribution as both Economy Minister and Transport Minister, the results of which could be seen on a daily basis.

Read this in Welsh.