Eluned Morgan’s eighteenth session as first minister comes to a close.

Image source, Senedd Cymru

Conservative Russell George refers to the "significant disruption" on a main road between north and south Wales, with drivers facing a 70-mile diversion.

Work to repair a hole in the A470 in Talerddig, Powys, began on 20 January and is scheduled to be completed on 11 April.

He says he had called for "24/7 working to complete quicker, overnight working only and also a diversion to take place along the side of the trunk road network - all of which were rejected". He now asks whether the work could be completed quicker.

The first minister says the Welsh government is "working very closely with our supply chain to reduce this duration as far as possible".

The diversion, heading east from Talerddig, takes drivers through Caersws, Newtown and Welshpool before rejoining the A470 at Mallwyd.

Image source, Google Maps/Traffic Wales

Asked by independent member Rhys ab Owen what plans the Welsh government has to reform the rules on political donations before the next Senedd election, the first minister replies "donations to registered political parties are regulated by Part 4 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000" and so remains a responsibility of the UK government.

She adds "the UK Labour manifesto, as you said, for the election did include a commitment to safeguard democracy by tightening the rules around donations to political parties. The Electoral Commission has also made recommendations to strengthen regulation in this area. And as you are aware, this is a reserved issue, so it's important that that happens at a matter of urgency. Because, as you say, we will go first, as it were, and I do hope that there's a possibility that we'll see a tightening of the rules before our election."

Rhys ab Owen had warned, "it’s possible that individuals who have far greater wealth than the budget of the Welsh government will see our elections as a dress rehearsal before the next Westminster elections".

Image source, Senedd Cymru

The first minister says, in the context of a question on the importance of trade unions to workplaces, "there’s nothing worse than having that dread of walking into work knowing that your day is going to be dominated by a bully. I just imagine what it’s like for people across this nation, and there are people who are living with that. We’ve got to make sure that there are support systems in place to deal with that, and I’m sure the Llywydd is very aware of the necessity of putting those support systems in place in the Senedd as well."

She was responding to her predecessor Vaughan Gething who said, "We regularly call out bad bosses and bullying behaviour at work in this chamber, but do you agree with me, first minister, that all of us in this chamber have a responsibility, not just to talk the talk in the chamber but to walk the walk in how we conduct ourselves with staff in this building, and especially as employers? I hope that’s a message that other party leaders would agree with when it comes to deciding who can return to this place as a candidate or member in the future."

Image source, Senedd Cymru

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth points to the financial benefits to the Scottish government because the Crown Estate is devolved to Scotland.

He says "the Scottish Crown Estate generated £103 million for the Scottish public purse. But whilst the Crown Estate is announcing record net profits, Wales is still missing out on millions because it’s not devolved here."

The first minister replies "our position in government remains that the Crown Estate should be devolved, and we will continue to make that case to the UK government. We welcome the UK government’s commitment to a Welsh commissioner, but that is certainly something I see as just a first step."

Rhun ap Iorwerth questions how much influence the first minister has with the UK Labour government and Labour MPs. He says last week "Labour MPs at Westminster had an opportunity to back a Plaid Cymru amendment to transfer the management of the Crown Estate assets in Wales to the Welsh government... but nine Labour MPs wanted to silence Wales's voice in that vote, blocking the amendment, denying us the powers that Scotland already have."

The Crown Estate belongs to the reigning monarch, and the revenue from its £16bn property portfolio goes directly to the UK Treasury.

It owns the UK seabed out to 12 nautical miles.

Image source, PA Media

Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd Darren Millar returns after missing last week's proceedings to attend the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC.

"It's good of him to join us this week" says the first minister.

Darren Millar refers to the stabbing at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman last April, and also to research conducted by NASUWT, the teachers’ union, which shows that almost 10% of teachers in Wales have experienced pupils bringing weapons to school in the past year.

He asks what guidance the government provides to schools, in light of concerns about weapons, because "discipline is falling apart in schools in Wales" he says.

The first minister replies "we have a legal duty to provide a safe learning environment, so all schools have a requirement to have a behaviour policy that promotes good pupil behaviour, and already, schools in Wales are able to screen any pupil for a knife or other weapons".

"So, already, there are quite clear things that are possible in terms of school behaviours, but I'm very pleased to see that the education secretary will be hosting a behaviour summit very shortly."

Darren Millar says "the possession of a weapon was a reportable reason for exclusion in the 2019 guidance issued to schools, but this was changed in April of 2024, so that carrying a weapon no longer applies as a reportable reason for exclusion."

"Why on earth was that guidance changed?"

The first minister responds, "the exclusion guidance makes clear that the use or threat of using offensive weapons can be grounds for exclusion. And on the data side of things, there is obviously a discussion going on at the moment between the education secretary and the unions - that will be this behaviour summit meeting that will thrash out this in more detail. But the suggestion is that they’ll be changing it back to what was done before."

Mr Millar claims "it’s your failure as a government to get to grips with this issue that’s causing the rise in violence and abuse of teachers in our schools, and is leading now to, unfortunately, a teacher recruitment and retention crisis".

Image source, Senedd Cymru

Image source, Senedd Cymru

We move straight on to Questions to the First Minister, as Dafydd Elis-Thomas would wish members to do.

Conservative Laura Anne Jones seeks an update on the A40 Raglan bypass safety study undertaken by the South Wales Trunk Road Agent.

The report, published in June last year, outlined six options to improve safety at the junctions, including introducing traffic lights, creating new roundabouts, and converting the dual carriageway to a single carriageway.

Laura Anne Jones, referring to a meeting that was held last week with Welsh government officials and representatives from Monmouthshire County Council and Raglan Community Council and others, says, "it was good to hear that the 50 mph speed limit already in place is likely to be a more permanent solution; that is welcome, but it was hugely disappointing that even though the potential for fatal accidents was recognised by those at the meeting, according to the Welsh government's criteria, these junctions just aren't unsafe enough for further solutions, and this is despite the danger of these junctions being recognised by the Welsh government and SWTRA, who suggested either toucan crossings, roundabouts and traffic lights were needed".

First Minister Eluned Morgan replies, "we’re very aware, of course, that there have been several accidents over time, but they’re not at a level at this point where they represent a collision cluster, and I’m sure you’ve heard that in the meeting. Now, that’s not to say that things don’t need to be done, and I’m really pleased that we’ve seen that temporary speed limit from 70 mph being reduced to 50, and that now will be permanent and they’ll also be consulting on a GoSafe safety camera partnership. So, clearly, we have to prioritise, and at this point, there are other priorities within the Welsh government's ambit."

Image source, Google

Image source, Senedd Cymru

Image source, Senedd Cymru

Image source, Senedd Cymru

Dafydd Elis-Thomas led Plaid Cymru between 1984 and 1991 and served as MP for Meirionnydd and then Meirionnydd Nant Conwy between 1974 and 1992, when he was appointed to the House of Lords.

He was the first Llywydd (presiding officer) of the new Welsh Assembly when it opened in 1999.

Llywydd Elin Jones calls him a "close friend to many here, political comrade to many too, and an enigma to all".

"This Senedd today is what it is because, to a very great extent, of Dafydd Elis-Thomas, and certainly all of us in this wonderful Senedd building and this wonderful chamber are here because of Dafydd's vision and perseverance," she says.

"Our appreciation is great for his 12 years at the helm" as presiding officer, she adds.

"His legacy is a robust Senedd for his nation, and that is quite a legacy."

Labour First Minister Eluned Morgan highlighted Elis-Thomas's sense of fun and ability to work across political party boundaries, describing him as a "political giant with a mischievous side".

"He was a master at building political bridges, and he succeeded in doing that whilst appearing to be entirely effortless, always principled, always constructive," she says.

"His political path was unexpected in many ways, from protesting against the investiture of Prince Charles in Caernarfon Castle [in 1969] to taking his place in the House of Lords."

Conservative group leader Darren Millar praised Elis-Thomas as a "titan of Welsh politics".

"His journey from an anti-establishment nationalist to a statesman at the heart of Wales's institutions was nothing short of remarkable".

"Having been the first Llywydd of the then newly established National Assembly for Wales, it was Dafydd's steady hand that helped to cement the Senedd's place at the heart of our national life and Welsh democracy."

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth alluded to Elis-Thomas quitting Plaid Cymru in 2016, later to become a minister in the Labour Welsh government.

"Yes, our relationships with our parties can all be complex from time to time, and Dafydd was no different in that regard".

"But there was a simplicity in the unwavering consistency of Dafydd's love for Wales, and that is what characterised all of his years in public life."

Rhun ap Iorwerth adds: "He was a political architect, a man of bold vision with a plan to deliver it.

"He built bridges across the political divide, perhaps a talent nurtured in the corridors of Westminster amid the turbulence of minority government in the 1970s.

"Despite being admirably if not sometimes mischievously uncompromising in his independence of mind, Dafydd viewed consensus as a valuable currency and strived always to find common ground."

Jane Dodds, the Welsh Liberal Democrat leader, told Senedd members that when "strong characters pass away, it's a time to remember that we here as members of the Senedd stand on the shoulders of giants".

"We as members are here because of the other members who came before us like Dafydd Elis-Thomas.

"They forged a path for us to create a more prosperous future for Wales.

"Thank you very much, Dafydd."

Flags have been flying at half-mast outside the Senedd building in tribute.

Image source, Plaid Cymru

Image source, Getty Images

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Eluned Morgan’s eighteenth session of First Minister's Questions.

The meeting begins with tributes to former Plaid Cymru leader and former Llywydd of the Senedd, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, who has died at the age of 78.

The meeting is held in a hybrid format, with some members in the Siambr (Senedd chamber) and others joining by video-conference.

You can click on the play button above to watch the proceedings from 1.30pm.