Press Releases - Plaid Cymru The Party of Wales

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• Latest News Highlighted:

• 09/03/06 - Plaid leader's new website

• 25/01/06 - Holocaust Day - An opportunity to build more unified communities today

• 11/10/05 - Postpone the absorption of the Welsh Language Board says Plaid

• 15/08/05 - Plaid Accuse Liberals of school closure hypocrisy

• 15/08/05 - WRU Ban on northern clubs criticised

• 13/07/05 - New Labour's White Paper creates unstable devolution settlement

• 12/07/05 - Anglesey loses bid for Island Games

• 11/07/05 - Plaid Cymru Muslim councillors condemn London terrorist act

• 06/07/05 - Ynys Mon AM sends telegram in support of Island Games bid

• 28/06/05 - Way forward to save National Eisteddfod

PLAID LEADER’S NEW WEB SITE - 09/03/06   back   return to top of page    

“www.ieuanwynjones.org,” Plaid Leader and Anglesey AM Ieuan Wyn Jones’s new web site goes on line at noon today ( Thursday 9^th March ).  

In addition to the usual information such as speeches, campaigns, lectures and press releases contained in sections on the Constituency and the Assembly, Mr Jones invites visitors to his site to contact him with questions or comments on any aspects of the articles and campaigns contained on the web site. They can do this by e mailing him at askieuan@ieuanwynjones.org. The site also contains full contact details for his Assembly and Constituency offices.  

“I am very pleased that my website will be online as of today and so soon after our re-branding exercise” said Mr Jones.  

 “Plaid Cymru is the party of Wales – the only one of the four main Assembly parties that can claim to be wholly based in Wales . For us, politics is about Wales and Wales ’ place in the world.  

As party leader, I am looking forward to engaging with the Welsh public on all aspects of Plaid Cymru policies in the run up to the 2007 Assembly election when we are determined to increase our power base and create a new political scenario in Wales . It is time to rid ourselves of a tired Labour administration which has lost the trust of the electorate.  

 People are tired of broken promises particularly on health, pensioners’ welfare and education. Let us now move forward with Plaid to a new and prosperous future which will offer sensible care for the elderly, affordable homes, a fair and equitable education system, an efficient health service and a credible, planned economy.”

* * * * *

Ieuan Wyn Jones AM. Leader of Plaid Cymru-The Party of Wales in the National Assembly firmly believes that the Holocaust should never be forgotten – not only because it reminds us of the terrible mass murders of Jews in Europe but also because it serves as a reminder and a lesson for us all about the evils of prejudice, discrimination and intolerance which continue to exist in today’s world.

“ The 27^th of January is the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz where the Nazis had established four operational gas chambers with the capability to murder 12,000 people a day. It is, therefore, an appropriate date to remember the Holocaust” said Mr Jones.

IEUAN WYN JONES AM

“ This was a tragedy of immense proportions for the Jewish people” he continued “ and, in  a sense it was also a wake-up call to civilised people everywhere which still resonates today as we see so much hatred, discrimination and prejudice both in the UK and in many other parts of the world.

Holocaust Day provides a sobering opportunity for people of all creeds and ethnicity to pause and consider the fragility of relationships and the very real need to strengthen understanding and respect across ethnic, cultural and religious boundaries.”

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This government is not willing to support the Board’s wish for firmer guidelines – guidelines which would encourage local education authorities to conduct a meaningful and thorough survey to establish the demand for Welsh medium education.”

Mr Thomas further commented:

"Initially, the Minister refused to set guidelines for local education authorities in this matter – but slowly, she has come to accept the need to do this – only to delay their implementation year after year. After all the delays, the procrastination and the endless waiting, one must ask: when will these simple guidelines be introduced – and when will the local authorities be in a position to implement them?

How much worse would matters be without the Welsh Language Board and Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales to resist this Government’s oppressive attitude?”

* * * * *

Plaid Cymru AM Dr. Dai Lloyd has accused the Liberal Democrats of being hypocrites on the issue of school closures. 

The Liberal Democrat-led administration on Swansea Council is expected to rubber stamp the closure of Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Garnswllt at its Cabinet meeting on Thursday. 

However the Liberal Democrats held a protest at the Eisteddfod in North Wales last week calling for the protection of rural schools. 

Dr. Lloyd, who along with the Plaid Cymru Councillors' group on Swansea Council has opposed the closure of the school, stated: 

"This is total hypocrisy from the Liberal Democrats who on the one hand are saying the right things, but are doing quite the opposite. I cannot believe how two faced their Education spokesman Peter Black is on this issue. 

"How on earth can he say these things knowing full well that his administration in Swansea is going to proceed to close the Welsh-medium school in Garnswllt.

"The Garnswllt community is totally opposed to this closure which will have a devastating affect on the village and will mean children having to travel great distances to attend a primary school. 

"I urge him to prove that these words are not simply hot air by convincing his colleagues in the Administration to keep the school open and consider a whole range of options which would mean the village keeping its school. Otherwise, it looks like this is yet more Lib-Dem opportunism." 

Swansea Councillor Peter Black, who is also the Liberal Democrats' spokesman on Education at the Assembly, stated as part of the Eisteddfod campaign,

"Rural schools often have a vital role in supporting the community. They are a resource for the whole community and contribute to developing community life, particularly in Welsh-speaking areas." 

He went on to say, "We cannot say that no school will ever close, but all options must be considered before any closure is sanctioned. To enable rural schools to provide the best possible education local authorities and the Assembly Government must consider federation and clustering, the effect on the local community of losing a school and the transport benefits of having a local school. " 

* * * * *

Plaid Cymru's Shadow Sport's Minister, Owen John Thomas AM has called on the WRU to reconsider their decision to stop rugby teams in north Wales from playing in the same leagues as teams in the south. 

The WRU decision will stop teams in north Wales progressing beyond the fourth division (Division 4 North). 

Commenting, The Plaid AM said, "This is a backward step, clearly not aimed at improving the standards of rugby throughout Wales.  There are currently two teams, Llangefni and Rhuthun, competing with sides from southern Wales and gladly travelling south thirteen times a season.   The fact that these two teams have achieved third division status is a sign of progress that the WRU should encourage." 

OWEN JOHN THOMAS AM

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Leader of the Opposition Ieuan Wyn Jones AM speaking while giving evidence to the National Assembly committee on Welsh devolution said that New Labour had unveiled a White Paper on devolution that creates an unstable devolution settlement. 

The Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales Group Leader said: 

"What the National Assembly needs is clarity over which subject areas it is responsible for and the ability to make legislation that can truly change people's lives. Unfortunately what we have in this White Paper is a London veto on the ability of the National Assembly to really change the way we introduce measures such as those to provide affordable housing in our communities across Wales. " 

"This is a New Labour White Paper for a New Labour government in Wales and in Westminster. There is no plan B should we have governments of different colour in Cardiff Bay or in London. Peter Hain's white paper is a half way house which appeases the devolution sceptic wing of his party as well as those who want a proper parliament with the tools to do the job. The half-way house won't please anyone." 

"The procedures that could be set up by this White Paper means so many checks or balances that the Westminster government could use delaying tactics to frustrate the programme of an elected Welsh government. The situation could lead to endless constitutional wrangling, and call into question the value of the mandate secured by an incoming Assembly government."

* * * * *

News from Lerwick in the Shetlands that Anglesey has lost out to the Finnish island of Aland in the bids to host the 2009 Island Games is a real disappointment according to Leader of the Opposition at the National Assembly and Ynys Mon Plaid Cymru-The Party of Wales AM, Ieuan Wyn Jones. Commenting on Ynys Mon's unsuccessful bid to host the prestigious Island Games for the first time Mr Jones said:  

" I am deeply disappointed that Anglesey will not be hosting the Island Games in 2009. It must be particularly disappointing for our sportsmen and women who have been competing in the Shetlands over the past week or so. Anglesey has participated in these biennial games consistently since they were first held in 1985 on the Isle of Man but has never had the opportunity to be the host island. I would like to pay a special tribute to our bid team who, I know, have worked exceptionally hard to present Ynys Mon as a genuine and credible potential host for the games. One of the key remits of this international sports event is regeneration and I feel that Anglesey and, indeed, much of North Wales would have benefited from the occasion with 2,500 competitors and some 6 to 8 thousand spectators visiting the island from as far afield as the Falkland Islands and Rhodes. Our representatives deserve a big pat on the back for their considerable efforts and let us hope for a more favourable outcome when we next bid for the games."  

It was projected that the Island Games would add up to £3 million to the local economy.  

Founded on high sporting ideals, the Island Games are intended to foster friendship between the islands. They were held in Guernsey in 2003 and in the Shetlands this year, while the 2007 games will be hosted by Rhodes . Aland previously hosted the games in 2001.

* * * * *

Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales councillors and Muslim community leaders have had discussions with National Assembly Members in Cardiff Bay today, and condemned the London bombers - whoever they may be. 

AMs Jocelyn Davies and Owen John Thomas met the councillors - Councillor Abdul Kahn (Colwyn Bay), Councillor Mohammad Asghar (Newport), and Councillor Mohammed Islam (Cardiff), who sent out a strong message condemning yesterday's bombing in London. 

Councillor Mohammed Islam said: 

"As Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales councillors we condemn the cowardly attacks in London. We want to send our condolences to the victims and their families. Emergency services and other public servants such as the bus and train drivers worked under immense pressure and deserve high praise." 

Councillor Abdul Khan added:

"This indiscriminate bombing affected every community in London. If their goal was to divide people, then we are sorry to disappoint whoever committed this terrorist attack because they have failed." 

Councillor Mohammad Asghar said:

"Countries must unite against international terrorism and must tackle the poverty and injustice which is such a factor. As Plaid Cymru Leader Dafydd Iwan said yesterday, violence never solves anything, but only begets more violence." 

Muslim community leader, Dilabor Ali Hussain, Chair of the Bangladeshi Association, Cardiff added: 

"All Muslim communities condemn yesterday's act. We wish to praise the emergency services and passers-by who helped the injured. Londoners will be united by this not divided."

* * * * *

Ieuan Wyn Jones, Leader of the Opposition at the National Assembly, and Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales AM for Anglesey has sent a telegram of support to the island's representatives in the Shetland Islands who are bidding for the Island Games to be staged in Ynys Mon in 2009.  

" I know that our team in the Shetlands is working very hard to secure the biennial Island Games for Anglesey in 2009. Sending a telegram of support in this way is intended to assure them that we are behind them all the way. Holding the games in Ynys Mon would be a prestigious boost for the island with positive spin-offs for tourism and the economy generally. " said Mr Jones.   

The bilingual telegram reads:  

" To the Ynys Mon team in the Island Games:

All the best to you in the Shetlands - we are very proud of you all. We hope that Ynys Mon's bid for the 2009 games is successful so that you can compete on home soil next time.

Best Wishes

Ieuan Wyn Jones  (Ynys Mon Assembly Member)  

The Island Games, which are founded on high sporting ideals and are intended to foster friendship between the islands were first held on the Isle of Man in 1985. They were last held in Guernsey in 2003. The Shetland Islands host this year's Games and in 2007 they will take place in Rhodes .  

The decision on the location of the 2009 Island Games will be made on Tuesday, 12^th July.

* * * * *

Plaid Cymru's Shadow Culture Minister Owen John Thomas is proposing that each of Wales' twenty two local authorities make a weighted contribution towards the annual funding of the National Eisteddfod according to their size and amounting to £250,000 in total. 

Commenting the Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales AM said: 

"It might be reasonable, for example, for a smaller local authority like Merthyr to make an annual contribution in the region of £5,000 whilst a larger authority like Cardiff could contribute £20,000.  This weighting process should make the existing Welsh Local Government Association's proposal for the Eisteddfod more feasible." 

He added: 

"The National Eisteddfod makes a huge contribution to Welsh cultural life and each year brings a much needed boost to the cultural and economic life of a particular community.   It has nurtured the talents of the likes of Bryn Terfel, Sian Cothi, Dennis O'Neill and Aled Jones. It provides a stage for young performer  to develop their confidence and creative skills.  The National Assembly Government and local government should encourage the Eisteddfod by asking what they can do to help rather than leaving them to struggle." 

"The Stevens Report recommended that the National Assembly Government should provide annual funding to the National Eisteddfod in the region of £450,000.  The Assembly Government and local authorities are together capable of guaranteeing the Eisteddfod's future."

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