English: Diolch, Lywydd. Today is Gerard Elias QC's last day in office as the commissioner for standards. I would like to thank him for all his hard work in establishing this landmark role over the last six years and welcome his successor, Sir Roderick Evans QC, to the position of commissioner for standards. Gerard Elias was appointed in 2010 following the passing of the National Assembly for Wales Commissioner for Standards Measure 2009. He was an excellent appointment for the Assembly, bringing his wide range of experience, having worked in the legal profession for over 40 years. His strong commitment to public service led him to having held a number of public appointments. These include a deputy High Court judge, recorder and former leader of the Wales and Chester circuit, chancellor of the diocese of Swansea and Brecon, chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board's Cricket Discipline Commission and chairman of Sports Resolutions UK. The Measure of 2009 sought to ensure the National Assembly for Wales had a commissioner for standards able to promote high standards in public life among Assembly Members; had the powers to establish him or her to investigate complaints rigorously; and, finally, a commissioner who was clearly independent of the Assembly and therefore able to act with complete objectivity. These are all matters of great significance to ensure that the people of Wales have confidence in their elected Members. During his tenure, Gerard Elias has aspired to and achieved the aim of the Assembly being a beacon of standards in public life. He's established a well-respected, independent office and shaped his role to ensure that there is confidence in the standards of the Assembly. I believe he has taken a measured and balanced attitude to managing complaints and engaged in constructive conversations across the board, from Assembly Members to the wider public, about reasoning for his decisions and those who brought forward complaints. This pragmatic and approachable style has been valued by Assembly Members and all those who have worked with him. Alongside his work on complaints, he's been a source of salient advice to the standards committee, particularly during the fourth Assembly's review of the code of conduct and associated guidance, which culminated in the compendium document that was issued to all Members at the beginning of the fifth Assembly. Of particular note was his work to ensure that the Assembly had adequate sanctions and appropriate sanctions if a transgression by a Member occurs and his updating of the requirements for the declaration and registration of interests, which has brought more clarity and transparency to the system. These changes made here have helped to ensure that the rules governing the Assembly standards are fit for purpose in the changing context of devolution. Furthermore, Gerard Elias instituted the biennial standards commissioner lecture on standards in public life, which broadcast to Wales that standards in public life do matter. Having secured two Lord Chief Justices in office to attend was a real achievement and an excellent innovation for the Assembly. This is an initiative I understand the new commissioner intends to continue. I'm also delighted to take this opportunity to welcome Sir Roderick Evans QC to the role of commissioner for standards. I'm sure Members will agree that he's an excellent appointment. Sir Roderick is a retired High Court judge and, in addition to a distinguished legal career, is also a fellow of Aberystwyth, Swansea and Bangor universities, a fellow of the Learned Society of Wales and was welcomed into the Gorsedd of the Bards in 2002. During his comprehensive recruitment procedure, Sir Roderick attended a public confirmation hearing at a meeting of the fourth Assembly. At this hearing, he comprehensively set out his vision for the future of standards in the Assembly and his approach to the potential challenges during this Assembly and beyond. His appointment was unanimously confirmed by the fourth Assembly. The role that Sir Roderick is taking on is still relatively new and continually evolving. Undoubtedly, there will be challenges to ensure that the Assembly maintains the high levels of standards achieved thus far, not least as the committee starts its review of lobbying and identifies those areas that need further guidance and advice. The committee is looking forward to working with Sir Roderick to support him in building the office of commissioner for standards further, and to uphold the high standards of the National Assembly for Wales. I'm sure all Members will join me in welcoming Sir Roderick to the post and thanking Gerard Elias for all the hard work he's done in developing the role of commissioner and upholding the standards of the Assembly. [Assembly Members: 'Hear, hear.']
Welsh: Diolch, Lywydd. Heddiw yw diwrnod olaf Gerard Elias CF yn ei swydd fel y comisiynydd safonau. Hoffwn ddiolch iddo am ei holl waith caled yn sefydlu'r rôl bwysig hon dros y chwe blynedd diwethaf ac rwy'n croesawu ei olynydd, Syr Roderick Evans CF, i swydd y comisiynydd safonau. Cafodd Gerard Elias ei benodi yn 2010 pan basiwyd Mesur Comisiynydd Safonau Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru 2009. Roedd yn benodiad rhagorol i'r Cynulliad, a daeth â'i amrywiaeth eang o brofiad gydag ef, ar ôl bod yn gweithio yn y proffesiwn cyfreithiol am dros 40 mlynedd. Mae ei ymrwymiad cryf i wasanaeth cyhoeddus wedi arwain at nifer o swyddi cyhoeddus. Mae'r rhain yn cynnwys dirprwy farnwr yr Uchel Lys, cofnodwr a chyn-arweinydd cylchdro Cymru a Chaer, canghellor esgobaeth Abertawe ac Aberhonddu, cadeirydd Comisiwn Disgyblaeth Bwrdd Criced Lloegr a Chymru a chadeirydd Sports Resolutions UK. Roedd Mesur 2009 yn ceisio sicrhau bod gan Gynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru gomisiynydd safonau a oedd yn gallu hyrwyddo safonau uchel mewn bywyd cyhoeddus ymhlith Aelodau'r Cynulliad; yn meddu ar y pwerau a fuasai'n eu galluogi i ymchwilio i gwynion yn drylwyr; ac yn olaf, comisiynydd a oedd yn amlwg yn annibynnol ar y Cynulliad ac felly'n gallu gweithredu'n gwbl wrthrychol. Mae'r rhain i gyd yn faterion o bwys mawr i sicrhau fod gan bobl Cymru hyder yn eu Haelodau etholedig. Yn ystod ei gyfnod yn y swydd, mae Gerard Elias wedi anelu tuag at, ac wedi cyrraedd nod y Cynulliad i fod yn batrwm o safonau mewn bywyd cyhoeddus. Mae wedi sefydlu swydd annibynnol, uchel ei pharch, ac wedi siapio ei rôl i sicrhau hyder yn safonau'r Cynulliad. Rwy'n credu ei fod wedi mabwysiadu dull pwyllog a chytbwys wrth reoli cwynion ac wedi cymryd rhan mewn trafodaethau adeiladol â phawb, o Aelodau'r Cynulliad i'r cyhoedd yn ehangach, ynglŷn â'r rhesymau dros ei benderfyniadau a'r rhai a gyflwynodd gwynion. Mae'r dull pragmatig ac agos atoch hwn wedi cael ei werthfawrogi gan Aelodau'r Cynulliad a chan bawb sydd wedi gweithio gydag ef. Ochr yn ochr â'i waith ar gwynion, mae wedi bod yn ffynhonnell cyngor allweddol i'r pwyllgor safonau, yn enwedig yn ystod adolygiad y pedwerydd Cynulliad o'r cod ymddygiad a'r canllawiau cysylltiedig, a arweiniodd at y ddogfen gompendiwm a ddosbarthwyd i'r holl Aelodau ar ddechrau'r pumed Cynulliad. O bwys arbennig, roedd ei waith i sicrhau bod gan y Cynulliad sancsiynau digonol a sancsiynau priodol pe bai Aelod yn tramgwyddo ynghyd â'i ddiweddariad o'r gofynion ar gyfer datgan a chofrestru buddiannau, sydd wedi sicrhau mwy o eglurder a thryloywder yn y system. Mae'r newidiadau hyn a wnaed yma wedi helpu i sicrhau bod y rheolau sy'n llywodraethu safonau'r Cynulliad yn addas i'r diben yng nghyd-destun cyfnewidiol datganoli. Ar ben hynny, sefydlodd Gerard Elias ddarlith y comisiynydd safonau ar safonau mewn bywyd cyhoeddus, a gynhelir bob dwy flynedd, ac sy'n cyhoeddi i Gymru fod safonau mewn bywyd cyhoeddus yn bwysig. Roedd cael dau Arglwydd Brif Ustus cyfredol i fynychu yn gyflawniad gwirioneddol ac yn dangos arloesedd rhagorol ar ran y Cynulliad. Rwy'n deall bod y comisiynydd newydd yn bwriadu parhau â'r syniad hwn. Mae'n bleser manteisio ar y cyfle hwn hefyd i groesawu Syr Roderick Evans CF i rôl y comisiynydd safonau. Rwy'n siŵr y bydd yr Aelodau'n cytuno ei fod yn benodiad rhagorol. Mae Syr Roderick yn farnwr Uchel Lys wedi ymddeol ac yn ogystal â gyrfa ddisglair yn y gyfraith, mae hefyd yn gymrawd ym mhrifysgolion Aberystwyth, Abertawe a Bangor, yn gymrawd yng Nghymdeithas Ddysgedig Cymru a chafodd ei groesawu'n aelod o Orsedd y Beirdd yn 2002. Yn ystod y weithdrefn recriwtio gynhwysfawr, mynychodd Syr Roderick wrandawiad cadarnhau cyhoeddus yn un o gyfarfodydd y Pedwerydd Cynulliad. Yn y gwrandawiad hwn, nododd ei weledigaeth ar gyfer dyfodol safonau yn y Cynulliad mewn modd cynhwysfawr ynghyd â'i ddull o ymdrin â'r heriau posibl yn ystod y Cynulliad hwn a thu hwnt. Cadarnhawyd ei benodiad yn unfrydol gan y Pedwerydd Cynulliad. Mae'r rôl y mae Syr Roderick yn ymgymryd â hi yn dal i fod yn gymharol newydd ac yn esblygu'n barhaus. Yn ddi-os, bydd yna heriau i sicrhau bod y Cynulliad yn cynnal y lefelau uchel o safonau a gyflawnwyd hyd yn hyn, yn enwedig wrth i'r pwyllgor gychwyn ar ei adolygiad o lobïo a nodi'r meysydd sydd angen arweiniad a chyngor pellach. Mae'r pwyllgor yn edrych ymlaen at weithio gyda Syr Roderick i'w gynorthwyo i ddatblygu swydd y comisiynydd safonau ymhellach, ac i gynnal safonau uchel Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru. Rwy'n siŵr y bydd yr holl Aelodau'n ymuno â mi wrth i mi groesawu Syr Roderick i'r swydd a diolch i Gerard Elias am yr holl waith caled y mae wedi'i wneud ar ddatblygu rôl y comisiynydd a chynnal safonau'r Cynulliad. [Aelodau'r Cynulliad: 'Clywch, clywch.']