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April 3, 2008
Wales's Legal Services Ombudsman
Publishing the Bill, the Minister said: "This Bill will bring about important changes in the law governing the legal professions. It provides for enhanced oversight through the full independent review of the operation of the legal profession complaints systems by way of a Legal Services Ombudsman. The Ombudsman will ensure real improvements in the quality control of the delivery of legal services and the manner in which the public perceives such control to exist.
The Government is anxious that regulation of the legal professions is improved and strengthened. The enactment of this Bill, in addition to the existing forms of oversight, will ensure that the highest of standards are maintained in the legal professions. As the Bill progresses through the Oireachtas I will consider any practical amendment to the Bill that complements the overarching purpose of this piece of legislation; the improved regulation of the legal professions."
As Welsh Law develops we will need our own Legal Services Ombudsman too.
April 1, 2008
EQUALITY DEFENCE
The Government today presented the new long-term plan for the Armed Forces: A Defence for the protection of Norway’s security, interests and values.
The system of compulsory military service will be carried forward and strengthened: The system of universal military service is itself a key factor in maintaining the Norwegian people’s deep-rooted support for the Armed Forces. The number of conscripts undergoing a period of initial military service will remain stable at the current level. The content will be strengthened and the period of initial service will be extended to 12 months for all.
The Government is bringing in mandatory screening sessions for women, based on the positive results experienced with the scheme for voluntary sessions. This will ensure that all young women in a particular age group will have access to information about the life offered by the armed services. This in turn will help to strengthen the recruiting of women to the services. At the same time the sessions themselves will be improved by dividing them into two parts with the first part devoted to exploring the individual’s own interests and aspirations. This will enhance the quality of the sessions while at the same time making it easier for contact to be made with those who are the most motivated and best suited to service in the Armed Forces.
“The UN and NATO are the bedrock on which Norway’s security policy is based. We will continue to make substantial contributions to international operations,” says Defence Minister Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen in conclusion.
The future of Wales's defence?
March 31, 2008
WALES AT EU COUNCIL OF MINISTER MEETINGS
After various discussions at EU level, the Council had originally concluded that the option that called for a profound reform would be the best way forward. This conclusion was in line with what Malta had argued in favour of, since it represented the best way forward to guaranteeing quality, control and sustainability.
The crux in the political discussions was reached today when the Portuguese Presidency presented its latest compromise. The reform contains a number of positive elements such as increased National Envelopes which will be instrumental in helping the sector in accordance with the exigencies of the different European regions, and the late negotiation has substantially increased Malta’s financial allocation.
Malta smaller than Wales yet independent and a full member state of the EU fighting for its exclusive national interests and winning. The British will never be able to represent the exclusive national interests of Wales at EU Council of Ministers meetings, far better for Wales to have its own Minister at those meeting (with the same rights as other full member states) fighting for our exclusive national interests and winning. Just like Estonia, Latvia, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Malta and Slovenia do (all smaller than Wales, all independent and all full member states of the EU).
March 29, 2008
March 28, 2008
POLICING POWERS
The President of the USA said:
And there's more work to be done. Taoiseach; as you said, the devolution of policing is important, and we support that.
The Taoiseach said:
We also look forward to seeing the devolution of policing and justice to the Northern Ireland Executive, as agreed at St. Andrew's.
Policing powers are devolved in Scotland, will be in the North of Ireland and must be in Wales.
March 25, 2008
Mandatory Sentence
The Conseil de la magistrature du Québec was established in 1978, following legislation enacted by the National Assembly.
Its mandate includes such responsibilities as ensuring compliance with the judicial code of ethics and making sure that the judges have the appropriate ways and means of maintaining and further developing their knowledge.
Some 400 judges come under this council's jurisdiction—the judges of the Court of Québec, those of the Human Rights Tribunal, the Professions Tribunal and the municipal courts as well as the presiding justices of the peace.
Powers over Justice need to be transferred from the British to the Senedd to maintain the Welsh public's confidence and trust in judicial institutions in Wales.
Bernard Hogan-Howe, Chief Constable of Merseyside, said last night that the mandatory five-year minimum sentence for possession of a firearm was being ignored by some members of the judiciary.
Mr Hogan-Howe, whose force is investigating the murder last year of 11-year-old Rhys Jones, said “very heavy sentences” were essential to deter criminals and teenage gang members from carrying weapons. It was, he said, “simply wrong” for judges to overlook the legal requirement to hand down a five-year sentence.
March 22, 2008
Funds raised in Wales spent in Wales?
Many organisations conduct fundraising appeals in order to finance their charitable activities. Under the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 a person or organisation wishing to raise money for charitable purposes — a fundraising appeal — must hold an authority to fundraise.
The management of charitable fundraising activities is a rewarding, though exacting task; but persons and organisations conducting such activities are aided by an Act and a code of regulations and authority conditions that provide prudent controls and working methods.
The objects of the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 are:
to promote proper and efficient management and administration of fundraising appeals for charitable purposes; to ensure proper keeping and auditing of accounts in connection with such appeals; and to prevent deception of members of the public who desire to support worthy causes.
How much of the Funds raised in Wales are spent in Wales?
OSCR published its first profile of the Scottish charity sector, Scottish Charities 2005 in January 2006. This was based on Annual Returns submitted to OSCR in advance of the commencement of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005. We intend to publish Scottish Charities 2007 in spring 2008. This will provide our first profile of the sector based on Annual Returns and Monitoring Returns submitted in a full year.
In the meantime, we are able to publish some facts and figures summarised from the Scottish Charity Register. Key points are as follows.
The total annual income for charities entered in the Scottish Charity Register is over £10 billion. There are 19 charities responsible for 36.6% of the sector's total income. Two thirds of charities have an annual income under £25,000.
Powers over charities operating in Wales should be transferred to the Senedd from the British as is the case in Scotland and New South Wales.
March 20, 2008
CymGrid
On 01 July 2006, EirGrid plc took over the operation of Ireland's electricity transmission system. As Transmission System Operator (TSO) from that date, EirGrid is responsible for operating Ireland's national electricity transmission system - otherwise known as the national grid. This includes planning and developing the system, scheduling and dispatching generation, operating the electricity market and ensuring system security. It has eight board members, appointed by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
EirGrid has approximately 250 highly-skilled staff and contractors who work on the operation of the electricity market and power system and, with the Regulators and System Operators, Northern Ireland, on the development of a new All Island Market for Electricity. It is developing new East-West and North-South interconnectors.
EirGrid is owned by the Irish State and is established as a result of a government decision to create an independent organisation to carry out the TSO function, in order to assist the liberalisation of Ireland's electricity industry and the development of a competitive market.
Why are Welsh people paying more for their electricity and who is profiting?
March 19, 2008
WALES LOTTERIES CORPORATION
The State Lottery Office was founded in 1931 and in the intervening period the Corporation has acquired a reputation for honesty, integrity and responsibility in marketing, managing and conducting lotteries in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
Revenue from the sale of lotteries products assists the Government of the day to provide a range of services to the New South Wales community. Since our inception over 75 years ago, we have helped to realise the dreams of many winners and raised billions of dollars.
NSW Lotteries Corporation - as we have been known since our Corporatisation on 1 January 1997 - is owned by the NSW Government and licensed to conduct the games of Lotto and Lotto Strike, OZ Lotto, Powerball, Instant Scratchies, Lucky Lotteries, and 6 From 38 Pools through a network of 1600 small businesses throughout NSW and the ACT.
The New South Wales community benefits significantly from the sale of our products with almost one third of player investment returned to the Government each year. Our total payments to Government amounted to almost $376 million in 2004/2005 and assists in the provision of a wide range of community services. More than 60% of player investments in lotteries is returned as prizes, which is one of the highest returns for lotteries games in the world.
Having our own lottery would guarantee revenue from the sale of lotteries products in Wales would benefit communities in Wales. Powers to do so should be held by the Senedd not the British.
March 18, 2008
WELSH STATE OWNERSHIP
The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy presented the green paper on law amendments, to ensure that Norway’s hydropower will remain in public possession. The Minister of Petroleum and Energy Mrs. Åslaug Haga, stresses that the amendments will secure and strengthen the public ownership of waterfalls and hydro power stations at state, regional and local level. Minister Haga wants to lay down this directly in wording of the Industrial Licensing Act.
Hydropower is the main energy source in mainland Norway, from which almost all the electricity production is derived. Hydropower is a renewable energy source without emissions, and it will gain further value in the future. Hydropower is important in securing the energy supply. Diversified public ownership ensures that there is a large number of competitive hydropower producers in Norway.
The rule which allows private investors to obtain up to one-third of the shares in a public undertaking in the relevant sector will be prolonged. However, in order to ensure public ownership, the proposed changes will not allow private investors to obtain more than one-third of the shares in a public undertaking.
As states like Norway secure their own energy supply a Welsh Government must have the powers to do the same in Wales. Powers over all hydropower in Wales should lay with the Senedd not the British.
March 17, 2008
WELSH PRISON SERVICE
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Brian Lenihan T.D., today, accompanied by Mr. Noel Ahern TD, Minister of State at the Department of Finance, with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works, officially opened the new decentralised Headquarters of the Irish Prison Service in Longford Town.
The decentralisation of the Irish Prison Service HQ from Clondalkin to custom built facilities in Longford has resulted in the relocation of 140 staff.
Speaking at the official opening, Minister Lenihan said: "The successful decentralisation of the Headquarters of the Irish Prison Service from Dublin to Longford is a significant milestone in the history of the Service and in the Government’s overall decentralisation programme.
Today is tangible evidence of the Government's commitment to the decentralisation programme and to balanced regional development which, in my view, will bring substantial long term dividends for the whole country including public servants and their families."
A Welsh Prison Service can do the same in Wales. Powers over prisons in Wales should be transferred to the Senedd.
March 15, 2008
Combat Poverty Agency
The Combat Poverty Agency advises and makes recommendations to the Minister on all aspects of economic and social planning in relation to poverty in the State. It examines the nature, causes and extent of poverty in Ireland as well as initiating and evaluating pilot measures aimed at overcoming poverty. In undertaking its work it seeks to promote greater public understanding of poverty and the measures required to overcome it.
The Irish Minister can follow through with legislation and policy that Ireland needs to combat its poverty issues. A Welsh Minister needs to be able to do the same for Wales, all powers over social and family affairs must be transferred to the Senedd.
March 14, 2008
Celebrating
The Scottish Government is stepping up its drive to ensure St Andrew's Day is a national celebration, Linda Fabiani said today.
The Culture Minister was speaking as research demonstrated the success of Scottish Government-led activity last year. St Andrew's Day signalled the beginning of the Winter Festival which ran through Hogmanay to Burns Night, providing people at home and visitors from around the world with an opportunity to celebrate Scotland's national day.
To ensure 2008 builds on this success, the Scottish Government will follow the spirit of the St Andrew's Day Bank Holiday Act passed in November 2006, and the decisions of some of Scotland's local authorities, and make St Andrew's Day a holiday for its staff.
After discussions with trades unions, the Scottish Government agreed its staff should receive an additional day's holiday to mark St Andrew's Day. As St Andrew's Day falls on a Sunday this year, in line with the 2006 Act, the holiday will be on Monday, December 1. This will allow staff to participate in the wide range of events which will be taking place to mark St Andrew's Day and the start of the winter festival. This will apply to almost 7500 staff covered by the discussions with the trades unions on this issue.
Angus and Midlothian Councils currently observe St Andrew's Day as public holidays.
Powers over National holidays for Wales must be transfered from the British to the Senedd.
March 12, 2008
WELSH GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
The issuing of the government securities is carried out by the Ministry of Finance on behalf of the issuer, i.e. the Republic of Slovenia.
The total nominal amounts of government securities to be issued during one year are defined in the yearly financing program, which is prepared by the Ministry of Finance and approved by the government at the end of each year following the approval of the budget laws by the parliament.
Only primary dealers (the “PDs”) participate in auctions directly; bids may be submitted by PD’s in their own name either for their own account or for the account of third persons. Other legal entities and private individuals participate in the auctions in an indirect manner, by submitting their order(s) for subscription and payment of government securities for their own account to PDs.
International PD's are:
ABN AMRO Mr. Bjorn Uhlin 250 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4AA, UK Telephone: +44 207 678 6392 +44 (0) 207 678 3074 Fax: +44 207 678 3597 Email: hans.van.der.ley@nl.abnamro.com, paul.spurin@uk.abnamro.com
Dresdner KW Mr. Eric Busnel Po Box 52715 City Gresham Street, London EC2P2XY Telephone: +44 207 475 3524 Fax: +44 207 623 5497 Email: susan.barron@dresdnerkleinwort.com, eric.busnel@dresdnerkleinwort.com
JP Morgan Mr. Ioannis Rallis J.P. Morgan Securities Ltd 125 London Wall, London EC2Y 5AJ United Kingdom Telephone: +44 207 325 9479 Fax: +44 207 325 8189 Email: ioannis.rallis@jpmorgan.com
Societe Generale, DEFI/DCM/ORI/SOV Mr.Stephane Marciel Tour Societe Generale, 17 cours Valmy 92987 Paris-La Defense Cedex-France Telephone: +33 1 42 13 8671 Fax: +33 1 42 13 7809 Email: stephane.marciel@sgcib.com,
Deutsche Bank Ms. Marzena Niziol Deutche Bank AG London Global Markets Winchester House 1 Great Winchester Street, London EC2N 2DB Telephone: +44 20 7545 8000 Fax: +44 20 7545 4455 Email: marzena.niziol@db.com
BNP Paribas, Fixed Income Ms.Alexandra Basirov 10 Harewood Avenue, London NW1 6AA Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7595 8614 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7595 5053 Email: alexandra.basirov@bnpparibas.com
Welsh Government Securities can handled in the same way. Powers to issue securities should be transferred to the Senedd.
March 12, 2008
WELSH GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
The issuing of the government securities is carried out by the Ministry of Finance on behalf of the issuer, i.e. the Republic of Slovenia.
The total nominal amounts of government securities to be issued during one year are defined in the yearly financing program, which is prepared by the Ministry of Finance and approved by the government at the end of each year following the approval of the budget laws by the parliament.
Only primary dealers (the “PDs”) participate in auctions directly; bids may be submitted by PD’s in their own name either for their own account or for the account of third persons. Other legal entities and private individuals participate in the auctions in an indirect manner, by submitting their order(s) for subscription and payment of government securities for their own account to PDs.
International PD's are:
ABN AMRO Mr. Bjorn Uhlin 250 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4AA, UK Telephone: +44 207 678 6392 +44 (0) 207 678 3074 Fax: +44 207 678 3597 Email: hans.van.der.ley@nl.abnamro.com, paul.spurin@uk.abnamro.com
Dresdner KW Mr. Eric Busnel Po Box 52715 City Gresham Street, London EC2P2XY Telephone: +44 207 475 3524 Fax: +44 207 623 5497 Email: susan.barron@dresdnerkleinwort.com, eric.busnel@dresdnerkleinwort.com
JP Morgan Mr. Ioannis Rallis J.P. Morgan Securities Ltd 125 London Wall, London EC2Y 5AJ United Kingdom Telephone: +44 207 325 9479 Fax: +44 207 325 8189 Email: ioannis.rallis@jpmorgan.com
Societe Generale, DEFI/DCM/ORI/SOV Mr.Stephane Marciel Tour Societe Generale, 17 cours Valmy 92987 Paris-La Defense Cedex-France Telephone: +33 1 42 13 8671 Fax: +33 1 42 13 7809 Email: stephane.marciel@sgcib.com,
Deutsche Bank Ms. Marzena Niziol Deutche Bank AG London Global Markets Winchester House 1 Great Winchester Street, London EC2N 2DB Telephone: +44 20 7545 8000 Fax: +44 20 7545 4455 Email: marzena.niziol@db.com
BNP Paribas, Fixed Income Ms.Alexandra Basirov 10 Harewood Avenue, London NW1 6AA Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7595 8614 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7595 5053 Email: alexandra.basirov@bnpparibas.com
Welsh Government Securities can handled in the same way. Powers to issue securities should be transferred to the Senedd.
March 11, 2008
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
Sweeping reforms to Scotland's summary justice system come into force today, transforming how police, fiscals and the lower courts handle thousands of cases involving less serious offences.
The new measures, passed by the Scottish Parliament last year, will:
reduce in summary (non-jury) courts, enabling many victims and witnesses to see cases dealt with more quickly and efficiently lead to more effective disposal of cases and a reduced burden on the courts and other criminal justice agencies provide a more immediate link between offence and punishment
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said:
"These reforms are key to ensuring we have a better, smarter system that delivers truly 'summary' justice in future. This is vital as summary courts deal with over 90% of criminal court business.
Solicitor General Frank Mullholland QC added:
"The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service have been working closely with the Police and the Scottish Court Service to ensure that together we can provide a modern, efficient and effective criminal justice system.
Powers over criminal justice need to be transferred to the Senedd to ensure a just system is provided in Wales.
March 10, 2008
WALES - FULL COMMONWEALTH MEMBER
Extract from the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting: Final communiqué
Commonwealth Membership
87. Heads of Government reviewed the recommendations of the Committee on Commonwealth Membership and agreed on the following core criteria for Membership:
(a) an applicant country should, as a general rule, have had a historic constitutional association with an existing Commonwealth member, save in exceptional circumstances;
(b) in exceptional circumstances, applications should be considered on a case-by-case basis;
(c) an applicant country should accept and comply with Commonwealth fundamental values, principles, and priorities as set out in the 1971 Declaration of Commonwealth Principles and contained in other subsequent Declarations;
(d) an applicant country must demonstrate commitment to: democracy and democratic processes, including free and fair elections and representative legislatures; the rule of law and independence of the judiciary; good governance, including a well-trained public service and transparent public accounts; and protection of human rights, freedom of expression, and equality of opportunity;
(e) an applicant country should accept Commonwealth norms and conventions, such as the use of the English language as the medium of inter-Commonwealth relations, and acknowledge Queen Elizabeth II as the Head of the Commonwealth; and
(f) new members should be encouraged to join the Commonwealth Foundation, and to promote vigorous civil society and business organisations within their countries, and to foster participatory democracy through regular civil society consultations.
88. Heads of Government also agreed that, where an existing member changes its formal constitutional status, it should not have to reapply for Commonwealth membership provided that it continues to meet all the criteria for membership.
89. Heads endorsed the other recommendations of the Committee, including a four-step process for considering applications for membership; new members being required to augment the existing budget of the Secretariat; and countries in accumulated arrears being renamed ‘Members in Arrears’. They also agreed with the Committee’s recommendations on Overseas Territories, Special Guests and strategic partnerships.
Wales's constitutional status has changed as a result of the Governance of Wales Act 2006, it must be time to consider applying for full membership of the Commonwealth.
March 8, 2008
WELSH TIME
This bill is to replace the Official Time Act. Its main objective is to have daylight saving time begin on the second Sunday in March instead of the first Sunday in April, and have it end on the first Sunday in November, one week later than is currently the case.
The bill also seeks to accommodate the customs and practices of a portion of the Québec population, particularly the people living east of the meridian of 63 degrees West longitude.
Lastly, the bill replaces the concepts of official time and Greenwich mean time by those of legal time and coordinated universal time.
Wales should not be dependent on the British for deciding about Welsh time, those powers should just be transferred to the Senedd.
March 7, 2008
Wales - Proud of its people
Today, Prime Minister Andrus Ansip held a speech dedicated to the 90th Anniversary of the Republic of Estonia at the Vanemuise Theatre and Concert Hall, in which he stressed that the Estonian people owe their persistence to their belief in the future, thirst for knowledge and fighter’s spirit. “If our state could speak, it would say on the eve of its anniversary – thank you all! You have built your country with love and cared for it with your hearts. This is why our state has been so successful,” said Andrus Ansip, symbolically turning to all people in Estonia.
“I do not call the Estonian people a free nation only because our state is independent. For me, a free nation denotes a way of thinking and the deep inner nature of Estonians. It characterises each individual and the entire state”. The Prime Minister stated that freedom means a wish, skill and courage to make decisions and to shape our future ourselves. “For some, it is the Estonian trait of stubbornness, for other it is pride, which is also so very characteristic of us. For me, it is the key to our success”. The Prime Minister stressed that there is only one key to coping in the new world – knowledge. This means education, constant learning, self-improvement, readiness to learn something new, and most of all – knowing what is going on in the world.
An independent full member state of the EU smaller than Wales and successfull.
March 6, 2008
Tino Rangatiratanga Taitamariki
YouthLaw Tino Rangatiratanga Taitamariki is a community law centre for children and young people throughout Aotearoa/New Zealand.
A Report on Advocacy Services for Young People in Wales from the Assembly’s Children and Young People Committee has called for an independent advocacy service for young people to be established as soon as possible.
The Committee’s report, Advocacy Services for Children and Young People in Wales, published today, makes a number of recommendations, including the establishment of a centrally funded national advocacy unit, with responsibility for commissioning independent advocacy services in local areas, and the involvement of children and young people when determining which advocacy providers should be awarded contracts for local areas.
Welsh laws and policies made by the Senedd to meet the needs of our young people, just as the New Zealanders do, must not be vetoed by the British.
March 3, 2008
Wales's Strategic Assets
Greater protection for New Zealand’s major strategic assets will be delivered by new Overseas Investment provisions announced by Finance Minister Michael Cullen today.
A new regulation under the Overseas Investment Act 2005 was introduced by Order in Council today. The regulation will bolster the factors Ministers may take into account when considering overseas investment applications that affect a very narrow range of strategically important assets.
In Wales:
National Grid (LSE: NG.; NYSE:NGG) is an international electricity and gas company and one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world.
National Grid owns the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales and operates the system across Great Britain. It also owns and operates the high pressure gas transmission system in Britain and its distribution business delivers gas to 11 million homes and businesses.
A Welsh Government must have the powers to decide wether an overseas investment in Wales's meets the strategic interets of Wales.
March 1, 2008
Wales's Building Code
Since 1994 and 1998 the Bavarian Building Code has made building easier. The simplified process for obtaining a building permit is faster and less expensive for the owner-builders than the conventional system. Under certain circumstances, a newly implemented exemption procedure even enables building without planning permission . This gives all those involved in the construction work more freedom, but also more responsibility. Both of the new procedures have proven to be very effective - to date this year, they have saved owner-builders nearly EUR 130 million.
Powers over Wales's Building Code must be transferred to the Senedd, so that policies and laws needed to specifically meet the demands of Wales can be met.
February 29, 2008
The National Trust for Wales
The role of National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is:
To secure the conservation of a representative range of ecosystems and maintain and enhance populations of flora and fauna in Ireland,
To implement the Wildlife Act, 1976, the Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000 and the EU Habitats and Birds Directives,
To designate and advise on the protection of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) having particular regard to the need to consult with interested parties,
To make the necessary arrangements for the implementation of National and EU legislation and policies and for the ratification and implementation of the range of international Conventions and Agreements relating to the natural heritage,
To manage, maintain and develop State-owned National Parks and Nature Reserves.
The British still run the National Parks in Wales through a charity based in Swindon, England.
Just as in Scotland and Ireland, Wales should be acting independently.