This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/6719783.stm

The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 11 Version 12
Queen opens stronger new assembly Queen opens stronger new assembly
(about 1 hour later)
The Queen has officially opened the third session of the Welsh assembly heralding new law-making powers. The Queen has officially opened the third session of the Welsh assembly, heralding new law-making powers.
Arriving with the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall, she was greeted at the Senedd by Presiding Officer Dafydd Elis-Thomas.Arriving with the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall, she was greeted at the Senedd by Presiding Officer Dafydd Elis-Thomas.
A 21-gun salute rang out on board HMS Exeter, docked in nearby Britannia Bay. It is her fifth visit to the assembly where extended powers mean laws can be drawn up in Wales, though Parliament will have to agree the area they cover.
It is her fifth visit to the assembly where extended powers mean laws can be drawn up in Wales, though they will have to be voted on in Parliament. She told AMs: "The Government of Wales Act opens a new era for devolution."
Officially opening the third assembly session, she told Assembly Members: "The Government of Wales Act opens a new era for devolution. This is an exciting time for Wales. There may even be moments of turbulence to cope with from time to time First Minister Rhodri Morgan
"It is now for you to ensure that policies and legislation meet the needs and aspirations of the people of Wales more closely than ever before. The Queen said: "It is now for you to ensure that policies and legislation meet the needs and aspirations of the people of Wales more closely than ever before.
"I shall follow your progress with great interest and hope that you will build on the achievements of the last eight years in the service of the people of Wales.""I shall follow your progress with great interest and hope that you will build on the achievements of the last eight years in the service of the people of Wales."
It is up to the newly-elected AMs, she added, to ensure policy and legislation meets the aspirations of the people of Wales. It was up to the newly-elected AMs, she added, to ensure policy and legislation met the aspirations of the people of Wales.
The Queen chatted with spectators gathered outside the SeneddThe Queen chatted with spectators gathered outside the Senedd
First Minister Rhodri Morgan said: "This is an exciting time for Wales. There may even be moments of turbulence to cope with from time to time.First Minister Rhodri Morgan said: "This is an exciting time for Wales. There may even be moments of turbulence to cope with from time to time.
"I will be doing my level best in piloting the aircraft that is Wales, knowing the best aircraft in the world all have wings made in Wales, to get us safely to the destination we all want to see of a Wales that is thriving, healthy, sustainable, skilled and equipped for the new century - new challenges in every way.""I will be doing my level best in piloting the aircraft that is Wales, knowing the best aircraft in the world all have wings made in Wales, to get us safely to the destination we all want to see of a Wales that is thriving, healthy, sustainable, skilled and equipped for the new century - new challenges in every way."
The meeting of the Queen and Mr Morgan marks the new constitutional relationship in which the first minister is now officially appointed by the monarch.The meeting of the Queen and Mr Morgan marks the new constitutional relationship in which the first minister is now officially appointed by the monarch.
In another change to assembly procedure, the monarch met with the first minister - who leads a minority Labour administration in the Senedd after last month's election - similar to her weekly talks with the prime minister. In another change to assembly procedure, the monarch met Mr Morgan - who leads a minority Labour administration in the Senedd after last month's election - for discussions similar to her weekly talks with the prime minister.
Speaking on Radio Wales before the meeting, Mr Morgan said he had not prepared a script. Speaking on Radio Wales before the meeting, Mr Morgan said he had not prepared a script for his meeting with the Queen.
Mr Morgan added that it was too early to predict the outcome of the meeting as it would be the "first of a new kind of audience" and thought both he and the Queen would probably be "playing it off the cuff". 'Off the cuff'
Mr Morgan said it was too early to predict the outcome of the meeting as it would be the "first of a new kind of audience" and he thought both he and the Queen would probably be "playing it off the cuff".
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall begin an annual visit to WalesPrince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall begin an annual visit to Wales
Moving onto the subject of increased powers for the assembly, Mr Morgan said it was important they were used to the utmost. On the subject of increased powers for the assembly, Mr Morgan said it was important they were used to the utmost.
"We have to find a way of using these new powers to the full, using good old British and Welsh common sense," he said."We have to find a way of using these new powers to the full, using good old British and Welsh common sense," he said.
The new legislation allows the assembly to make its own laws and has provided for an eventual move to full law-making powers, but only after a referendum.The new legislation allows the assembly to make its own laws and has provided for an eventual move to full law-making powers, but only after a referendum.
However, any laws have to be approved by the Houses of Parliament. The Assembly will in future, propose, debate, scrutinise and then pass any new specific Welsh laws - which are known as assembly measures - where it has the competence to do so.
These laws will not need to be approved by Parliament, although it will agree the "area" in which the assembly can make those laws.
As a Welsh person, I do not see how the monarchy is relevant to my everyday life, and to my generation Bethan Jenkins AM, Plaid CymruAs a Welsh person, I do not see how the monarchy is relevant to my everyday life, and to my generation Bethan Jenkins AM, Plaid Cymru
A committee of MPs has told AMs that they should ask Westminster for permission to pass new laws only a handful of times a year due to the parliamentary timetable. A committee of MPs has told AMs that they should seek to pass new laws only a handful of times a year due to the parliamentary timetable.
Labour took control in the Senedd after three weeks of uncertainty following the 3 May election.Labour took control in the Senedd after three weeks of uncertainty following the 3 May election.
Labour, with 26 of the 60 seats, is the biggest party, but three rivals - Plaid Cymru, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats - may form a so-called "rainbow coalition" to force Mr Morgan out of power.Labour, with 26 of the 60 seats, is the biggest party, but three rivals - Plaid Cymru, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats - may form a so-called "rainbow coalition" to force Mr Morgan out of power.
Two Plaid AMs, Leanne Wood and Bethan Jenkins, are boycotting the royal opening, and will visit a homelessness project in Swansea instead. Two Plaid AMs, Leanne Wood and Bethan Jenkins, boycotted the royal opening, and visited a homelessness project in Swansea instead.
"As a Welsh person, I do not see how the monarchy is relevant to my everyday life, and to my generation," said Ms Jenkins, "As a Welsh person, I do not see how the monarchy is relevant to my everyday life, and to my generation," said Ms Jenkins.
  • Week In Week Out on BBC 1 Wales will broadcast a live debate at 2235 BST on Tuesday featuring Welsh party leaders.
  • Week In Week Out on BBC 1 Wales will broadcast a live debate at 2235 BST on Tuesday featuring Welsh party leaders.
    • Click here to e-mail the programme with questions for the politiciansClick here to e-mail the programme with questions for the politicians