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Committee visits Cardiff for Brexit: devolution inquiry

3 February 2017

The European Union Committee continues its inquiry on the impact of Brexit on the devolution settlement, undertaking a visit to Cardiff on 7 February 2017.

Witnesses

On 7 February, the Committee will hear evidence from:

At 10.00am

  • Andrew RT Davies AM, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives
  • Leanne Wood AM, Leader of Plaid Cymru
  • Neil Hamilton AM, Leader of UKIP in Wales

At 11.15am

  • Sir Emyr Jones Parry GCMG, Chancellor, Aberystwyth University and former UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations
  • Professor Gerald Holtham, economic expert and Managing Director, Cadwyn Capital LLP

At 2.00pm

  • Dr Joanna Hunt, Reader in Law, Cardiff University
  • Dr Rachel Minto, Research Associate, Cardiff University

At 3.30pm

  • Nicholas Fenwick Head of Policy, Farmers' Union of Wales
  • Ben Cottam, Head of External Affairs, Federation of Small Businesses Wales
  • Dr Victoria Wickler, Director, Bevan Foundation
  • Mary Williams, Community Coordinator, Unite Wales

The Committee will hear evidence from Rt Hon Carwyn Jones AM, First Minister of Wales, in a further evidence session to take place on Wednesday 15 March.

Issues

  • What are the political, economic and legal implications for Wales of the Brexit model the UK Government is pursuing?
  • Both from the point of view of the UK and other EU Member States, is it possible for the nations and regions of the UK to have a differentiated future relationship with the EU, or is a consistent approach across the UK the only viable solution?
  • Which EU competences should be transferred to the Welsh Government after Brexit, and how and when should such powers be transferred? Should any powers currently reserved to the UK Government be devolved as a consequence of Brexit?
  • What steps need to be taken to ensure that the devolved institutions have sufficient capacity and resource to take on such additional responsibilities?
  • How should the UK Government take into account and reflect the interests of the devolved institutions, including through the Joint Ministerial Committee on EU Negotiations?
  • Are existing mechanisms for interparliamentary dialogue between Westminster and the devolved legislatures sufficient to deal with the challenge of Brexit? If not, what new structures are needed?
  • What are the current mechanisms for direct engagement between the devolved administrations and the EU? How these will be affected by Brexit?

Further information

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