NDM8483 Plaid Cymru Debate - Wales-specific Covid inquiry

NDM8483 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that Module 2B of the UK Covid Inquiry will hear evidence in Wales between 27 February 2024 and 14 March 2024.

2. Believes that:

a) Module 2B of the UK Covid inquiry: ‘Core political and administrative decision making in Wales’ is insufficient to enable the Welsh Government and other agencies to learn the lessons from the response to the pandemic in Wales;

b) the core participant list for the UK Covid Inquiry hearings does not include the full range of relevant Welsh organisations;

c) the Wales COVID-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee cannot assess the full range of matters related to the Welsh Government’s handling of the pandemic;

d) failure to establish a Wales-specific Covid inquiry undermines devolution;

e) a Wales specific Covid inquiry is a basic right for all who lost loved ones due to Covid.

3. Recognises the importance of the UK Covid Inquiry in identifying how decisions by the UK Government influenced the Covid response in Wales.

4. Regrets that the Welsh Government, unlike the Scottish Government, has not established a nation specific Covid inquiry to fully examine the actions and decisions of the Welsh Government before, during and after the pandemic.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to establish a judge-led Wales Covid inquiry.

Supporters

Russell George (Montgomeryshire)

The following amendment was tabled:

Amendment 1 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point after point (2) and renumber accordingly:

Recognises that due to the Welsh Government’s refusal to set-up a Welsh Covid inquiry, the Senedd established a special committee to attempt to get answers for the families and friends of those who died during the pandemic.