This morning’s Western Mail has the story of yesterday’s Assembly Finance Committee, referred to by Peter Black here, in which accusations were flung and questions asked about Plaid Cymru’s attempt to re-write key passages in the report on the budget so as to cast a more favourable light on Ieuan Wyn Jones’ tenure as Economy and Transport Minister.
Here are just some of the views of the Committee members:
Labour AM Alun Davies said: “ I don’t know if other people feel the same way but I am absolutely appalled at the way the committee has been treated by a member of the committee.”
His comments were echoed by committee chairwoman and Conservative AM Angela Burns, who described herself as “incensed with rage”.
She said: “I personally was dismayed by the fact that the papers got into non-committee hands and were so very obviously spun and then presented back into the committee…
“I don’t think I’ve ever shared a committee report prior to publication with anyone. I can put my hand on my heart and say that.”
Conservative committee member Nick Ramsay said Plaid’s Chris Franks had worked to protect party leader and Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones from criticism in his role as Minister for Economic Development and Transport. He said: “All of his proposed amendments related purely to the economic development brief. It wasn’t the budget as a whole – it was defending that aspect of it.”
Kirsty Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and a committee member said: “At this stage, I have asked for the chair of the committee to seek clarity on whether there has been a breach of the rules governing committee business. It will clearly be a matter of serious concern if there has indeed been such a breach.
“It’s vital that all Assembly committees are able to operate without undue pressure from those who might seek to influence the scrutiny process from the sidelines.”
It is understood that the Finance Committee report very much reflects the views of the Welsh Liberal Democrats that the draft budget does not respond adequately to the difficult circumstances that now confront Wales as it is in one of the deepest recessions of recent years.
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