English: Diolch, Llywydd. Can I begin by adding my thanks to the Chair and to the members of the Standards of Conduct Committee for their report and for their very hard work, and indeed for this opportunity to respond to their report? As all Members have pointed out, there is only one recommendation for the Welsh Government, but I welcome the committee's wider intention to foster a culture of dignity and respect within the Assembly through the remainder of its recommendations, and also would very much like to add my voice to those of the various Members in the debate today who've talked about the need for a culture where people can come forward and expect that their complaints will be taken seriously. The suggestions of changing the timescales and the rights of appeal are very interesting ones that the Assembly could, I think, benefit from. However, turning to the one recommendation for the Government, the ministerial code sets out the First Minister's expectations in respect of ministerial conduct and this is underpinned by the seven principles of public life. Members will of course be aware that it provides guidance on a range of matters including relationships with the civil service and how to deal with Ministers' constituency, party and private interests. It also contains procedural advice on Cabinet and governmental processes and obligations. In particular, the code makes clear that Members are expected to be personally responsible for their conduct, but that the First Minister is the ultimate judge of standards of ministerial behaviour. He also determines any appropriate action in respect of any breach of those standards. In addition, he will call upon an independent adviser or advisers where appropriate to investigate complaints and to provide him with advice on which to base his judgment about any necessary action.
Welsh: Diolch, Lywydd. A gaf fi ddechrau drwy ychwanegu fy niolch i'r Cadeirydd ac i aelodau'r Pwyllgor Safonau Ymddygiad am eu hadroddiad ac am eu gwaith caled iawn, ac yn wir am y cyfle hwn i ymateb i'w hadroddiad? Fel y mae'r holl Aelodau wedi dweud, nid oes ond un argymhelliad i Lywodraeth Cymru, ond rwy'n croesawu bwriad ehangach y pwyllgor i feithrin diwylliant o urddas a pharch o fewn y Cynulliad drwy weddill ei argymhellion, a hefyd rwy'n awyddus iawn i ychwanegu fy llais at leisiau'r Aelodau amrywiol yn y ddadl heddiw sydd wedi sôn am yr angen am ddiwylliant lle y gall pobl ddisgwyl y bydd eu cwynion yn cael ystyriaeth ddifrifol. Mae'r awgrymiadau ynglŷn â newid yr amserlenni a hawliau apelio yn rhai diddorol y gallai'r Cynulliad elwa arnynt yn fy marn i. Fodd bynnag, gan droi at yr un argymhelliad ar gyfer y Llywodraeth, mae cod y Gweinidogion yn nodi disgwyliadau'r Prif Weinidog mewn perthynas ag ymddygiad gweinidogol ac ategir hyn gan saith egwyddor bywyd cyhoeddus. Wrth gwrs, bydd yr Aelodau'n ymwybodol ei fod yn darparu canllawiau ar amrywiaeth o faterion gan gynnwys cysylltiadau â'r gwasanaeth sifil a sut i ymdrin â buddiannau etholaeth, buddiannau plaid a buddiannau preifat Gweinidogion. Mae hefyd yn cynnwys cyngor gweithdrefnol ar brosesau a rhwymedigaethau Cabinet a Llywodraeth. Yn fwyaf arbennig, mae'r cod yn dweud yn glir fod disgwyl i'r Aelodau fod yn bersonol gyfrifol am eu hymddygiad, ond mai'r Prif Weinidog yn y pen draw sy'n barnu safonau ymddygiad gweinidogion. Y Prif Weinidog hefyd sy'n pennu unrhyw gamau priodol mewn perthynas ag unrhyw dramgwydd yn erbyn y safonau hynny. Yn ogystal, bydd yn galw ar gynghorydd neu gynghorwyr annibynnol lle y bo'n briodol i ymchwilio i gwynion ac i roi cyngor i allu seilio barn arno ynglŷn ag unrhyw gamau gweithredu sy'n angenrheidiol.