Paul Davies Assembly Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire was pleased to accept an invitation, from the Trustees of Pembrokeshire Mencap to visit Stackpole Walled Gardens on Wednesday 15th February.

During a tour of the extensive gardens the Manager Debbie Drewett gave Mr Davies an insight into the work of Pembrokeshire Mencap providing worthwhile work experience, recognised qualifications and community involvement to local adults with learning disabilities.

Local AM Paul Davies was pleased to attend the launch of the Cross Party group on energy at the Assembly, which aims to focus on issues relating to the Welsh Energy sector and the jobs that depend on it. Mr Davies met with representatives from a number of energy organisations and representatives to discuss some of the emerging issues affecting the industry in Wales.

Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies said, "It was a huge privilege to attend this event and to meet some of the national organisations that represent the energy sector in Wales. This group is a great way of liaising with the industry and raising awareness of the challenges it faces. Pembrokeshire has a huge strategic importance to both Wales and the UK's energy sector and it is important for Assembly Members such as myself to raise specific areas of concern with the Welsh Government. I look forward to our future meetings to ensure that energy issues are at the top of the Welsh political agenda throughout the Fourth Assembly."

Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies has recently hosted a Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) awareness event at the Senedd. The event aimed to gain a better understanding of Rheumatoid Arthritis and its health and socio-economic impact. There are approximately 400,000 people with RA in the UK and it has been estimated that RA costs the NHS at a UK level around £560 million a year, with the majority of the costs occurring in the secondary care.

"I was delighted to host the ABPI Rheumatoid Arthritis event," said Mr Davies.

Responding to the publication of the Welsh Labour Government's Supplementary Budget, Paul Davies AM, Shadow Minister for Finance, said:

"These changes to Labour's budget are simply tinkering around the edges and fail to revisit the drastic cuts to the NHS.

The Welsh Labour Government is set to waste over a quarter of a million pounds on political posturing by setting up a new London office, Welsh Conservatives claimed today.

The First Minister is set to sign a contract to lease office space on Victoria Street in Westminster at a cost to taxpayers of £270,000.

Paul Davies AM has recently taken part in a Welsh Conservative debate on accident and emergency departments in the Assembly Chamber. The debate, tabled by the Welsh Conservatives called on the Welsh Government to ensure that all Accident and Emergency departments will be adequately resourced, and that none will be downgraded or closed during the remainder of the Fourth Assembly.

Cataract treatments and services in Pembrokeshire are being addressed by the Welsh Government following repeated calls from local Assembly Member Paul Davies. Mr Davies called on both the First Minister and the Health Minister to condemn the refusal to give treatment to patients suffering cataract problems, following representations from constituents who have been denied treatment by Hywel Dda local health board. In response, Health Minister Lesley Griffiths AM has informed Mr Davies that a revised cataract management scheme has been agreed and is now being implemented.

Local Assembly Member Paul Davies has welcomed the Welsh Government's announcement to consider introducing an enterprise zone at the Haven Waterway in Pembrokeshire.

Mr Davies said: "I am pleased that the Welsh Government is looking at creating an enterprise zone in Pembrokeshire, which will no doubt help boost the local economy. Pembrokeshire is a prime choice for an enterprise zone location, given the importance of the area to both Wales and the UK's energy sector. I appreciate that because of the nature of the area, discussions are needed with the UK Government and other key stakeholders before any final decisions are confirmed. However, I hope that the Welsh Government will ensure that this proposal will be fully approved."

Paul Davies, Assembly Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire, took a blindfold walk in Haverfordwest to support a Guide Dogs (www.guidedogs.org.uk) campaign to raise awareness of the challenges faced by people living with sight loss.

Mr Davies walked blindfolded with a long cane from County Hall to Bridge Street accompanied by Cathryn Stephenson, a mobility instructor for Guide Dogs. Pembrokeshire County Council Chair David Pugh and councillor Huw George also took a blindfold walk alongside local guide dog owner Yva Rich and long cane user Pat Farrar.

Local Assembly Member Paul Davies recently attended an event hosted by the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) Cymru to find out more about good acoustics in schools, nurseries and college buildings.

Mr Davies is supporting the 'Let's Make a New Year's Resolution that Sounds Good' campaign, launched by NDCS Cymru last month, which calls on Assembly Members to sign up to a special New Year's Resolution in support of good acoustics in educational facilities.

Preseli Pembrokeshire Assembly Member Paul Davies has expressed his concern at the Welsh Government's plans to scrap the Pembrokeshire Town Rider Scheme.

Local AM Paul Davies said: "I am very concerned that the Welsh Government has decided to cease funding for the Community Transport Concessionary Fares' Initiative, which will force the collapse of Pembrokeshire's much valued Town Rider service. This service provides an important lifeline for vulnerable people in Pembrokeshire to access vital local amenities and services."

Local Assembly Member Paul Davies has urged the Shadow Business Minister to support rural village pubs in the Assembly Chamber this week.

Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies said, "Local pubs are at the heart of our communities and in Pembrokeshire, they play an important role in the tourism industry. Community pubs make a valuable contribution to our society, and many provide a range of community services. They strengthen our rural economy, provide jobs for local people and contribute to making the local area more attractive."

Cataract treatments and services in Pembrokeshire have been raised in the National Assembly Chamber thanks to local Assembly Member Paul Davies. Mr Davies called on the First Minister to condemn the refusal to give treatment to patients suffering cataract problems, following representations from constituents who have been refused treatment by Hywel Dda local health board.

Local AM Paul Davies was pleased to attend the first Annual Age Alliance event at the Assembly, which aimed to share with Assembly Members some of the key issues raised by older people in Wales. Mr Davies met with representatives from a number of organisations representing older and vulnerable people to discuss some of the emerging issues affecting older people in Wales.

Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies has recently hosted the launch of Farmhouse Breakfast Week 2012 in Wales at the Senedd. The event aims to celebrate and promote the use of Welsh farm produce in traditional breakfasts and to outline the importance of the Welsh farming and food industries to the Welsh economy.

"I was delighted to host the FUW farmhouse breakfast once again," said Mr Davies.