Senedd Cymru | Welsh Parliament

Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas

1946-2025

The Senedd has paid tribute to the “Senedd’s founding father” following the death of the parliament’s first Presiding Officer, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, announced today, Friday 7 February 2025.

Full Statement

Photo of Lord Elis-Thomas, former Llywydd of the Senedd. Photo by Ric Bower, 2011

About the Senedd

The Welsh Parliament is the democratically elected body that represents the interests of Wales and its people.

Commonly known as the Senedd, it makes laws for Wales, agrees Welsh taxes and holds the Welsh Government to account.

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Topics

Agriculture, Forestry and Food

Includes rural affairs, food production, and woodland management

Animal welfare

Includes a range of areas of animal welfare matters

Business, Economy and Finance

Includes trade, labour market and economic development

Brexit

Matters relating to the UK's exit from the European Union and the potential impacts for Wales

Children and Young People

Includes children’s rights and well-being

Communities and Housing

Includes housing standards, community safety and tackling poverty

Constitution

Includes constitutional and legislative matters

COVID-19

The latest coronavirus information including news, committee inquiries, research and analysis

Culture

Includes arts, heritage and media

Education

Includes the curriculum, teaching and qualifications

Energy

Including energy generation and energy efficiency

Environment

Includes climate change, water and flooding

Equality and Human Rights

The latest from across the Senedd on equality and human rights.

Health and Care Services

Includes public health, mental health and the NHS in Wales

International

Includes International Relations

Justice

Includes matters relating to justice

Local Government

Includes local government reform, elections and the Local Government settlement for Wales

Marine and Fisheries

Includes marine protected areas and any vessel-owning or vessel-operating fishing businesses in Wales

Media and Communications

The latest from across the Senedd on media and communications

Planning

Includes all areas of planning policy including building regulations

Social Care

Includes children's social care, services for older people and support for carers

Transport

Includes roads, highways, public transport and ports

Welsh Language

Includes Welsh medium education, the Welsh Language Commissioner and Welsh Language Strategies

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Watch live and archived coverage of Plenary and committees.

Senedd Election and Member changes

The Senedd election in 2026 will be different to previous elections. There will be 96 Members, new constituencies, and a different voting system. Here’s what you need to know.