English: Diolch, Llywydd, for this opportunity to contribute to the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Bill. I will speak to my amendments 119 to 160. This group of amendments serves to ensure proper communication between the Welsh Ministers and the commission surrounding the terms of remit. With such a substantial budget to be at the disposal of the commission, it is only right that annual letters of remit are utilised to ensure that an arm's-length body can run efficiently, particularly when the likes of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales still believe there is a real risk of this single body not being able to achieve its strategic outcomes. We want to avoid the danger of allowing the Welsh Government to take action at operational level, as it would clearly create unclear governance arrangements, which in turn would cause delay and confusion. Crucially, these amendments will serve to make the appointment of the members of the commission, as well as the chair and members of the research and innovation committee, subject to a Senedd appointment process, as in previous amendments tabled in relation to the Health and Social Care (Quality and Engagement) (Wales) Act 2020. While I am disappointed that we find ourselves having to resubmit these amendments, my group and I's determination to ensure maximum independence for the commission compels me to table these amendments and stress their importance yet again. On amendment 161, I'm seeking to omit the lines in the Bill that provide powers for the commission for tertiary education and research to restructure sixth form education. These are not powers that belong within the remit of the commission, and there is no reason to believe, even for a moment, that sixth form education across Wales would stand to benefit from interference of this nature. Finally, on amendment 119, I am resubmitting this amendment as I still firmly believe in extending the time of the application of the Bill. It's important to allow for further consideration of the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2021. We need real reassurance that the Bill's application will not be impacted by any of the legal proceedings between the Welsh Government and the UK Government. Turning to the Minister's amendments, I don't think they entirely address concerns set out in Stage 2 about the modification of strategic plans, as they are still allowed that power. Yes, it's been diluted a little, but only a little. I'd like to have seen that the Minister had adapted these plans to ensure that the commission will truly be an arm's-length body through his amendments tabled today. Thank you.
Welsh: Diolch, Lywydd, am y cyfle hwn i gyfrannu at y Bil Addysg Drydyddol ac Ymchwil (Cymru). Siaradaf am welliannau 119 i 160 a gyflwynais. Mae'r grŵp hwn o welliannau yn sicrhau cyfathrebu priodol rhwng Gweinidogion Cymru a'r comisiwn ynghylch y cylch gorchwyl. Gan fod cyllideb mor sylweddol ar gael i'r comisiwn, mae'n gwbl briodol bod llythyrau cylch gwaith blynyddol yn cael eu defnyddio i sicrhau y gall corff hyd braich redeg yn effeithlon, yn enwedig pan fo Cyngor Cyllido Addysg Uwch Cymru yn dal i gredu bod perygl gwirioneddol na fydd y corff sengl hwn yn gallu cyflawni ei ganlyniadau strategol. Mae arnom ni eisiau osgoi'r perygl o ganiatáu i Lywodraeth Cymru weithredu ar lefel weithredol, gan y byddai'n amlwg yn creu trefniadau llywodraethu aneglur, a fyddai yn ei dro yn achosi oedi a dryswch. Yn hollbwysig, bydd y gwelliannau hyn yn golygu penodi aelodau'r comisiwn, yn ogystal â chadeirydd ac aelodau'r pwyllgor ymchwil ac arloesi, yn amodol ar broses benodi yn y Senedd, fel mewn gwelliannau blaenorol a gyflwynwyd mewn perthynas â Deddf Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol (Ansawdd ac Ymgysylltu) (Cymru) 2020. Er fy mod yn siomedig ein bod yn gorfod ailgyflwyno'r gwelliannau hyn, mae penderfyniad fy ngrŵp a minnau i sicrhau'r annibyniaeth fwyaf posibl i'r comisiwn yn fy ngymell i gyflwyno'r gwelliannau hyn a phwysleisio eu pwysigrwydd unwaith eto. O ran gwelliant 161, fy mwriad yw hepgor y llinellau yn y Bil sy'n rhoi pwerau i'r comisiwn ar gyfer addysg drydyddol ac ymchwil ailstrwythuro addysg chweched dosbarth. Nid pwerau sy'n perthyn i gylch gwaith y comisiwn yw'r rhain, ac nid oes rheswm dros gredu, hyd yn oed am eiliad, y byddai addysg chweched dosbarth ledled Cymru yn elwa o ymyrraeth o'r math hwn. Yn olaf, o ran gwelliant 119, rwy'n ailgyflwyno'r gwelliant hwn gan fy mod yn dal i gredu'n gryf mewn ymestyn amser cymhwyso'r Bil. Mae'n bwysig caniatáu ystyriaeth bellach o Ddeddf Marchnad Fewnol y Deyrnas Unedig 2021. Mae arnom ni angen sicrwydd gwirioneddol na fydd unrhyw un o'r achosion cyfreithiol rhwng Llywodraeth Cymru a Llywodraeth y DU yn effeithio ar sut y cymhwysir y Bil. Gan droi at welliannau'r Gweinidog, nid wyf yn credu eu bod yn mynd i'r afael yn llwyr â phryderon a nodir yng Nghyfnod 2 ynghylch addasu cynlluniau strategol, gan y caniateir y pŵer hwnnw iddyn nhw o hyd. Ydy, mae wedi'i wanhau ychydig, ond dim ond ychydig. Hoffwn weld bod y Gweinidog wedi addasu'r cynlluniau hyn i sicrhau y bydd y comisiwn yn gorff hyd braich mewn gwirionedd drwy ei welliannau a gyflwynwyd heddiw. Diolch.