Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officer Elected

Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM has been elected as the Presiding Officer at the first Plenary meeting of the third Assembly. Lord Elis-Thomas, AM for Dwyfor Meirionnydd takes up the role for the third time.   Lord Elis-Thomas said: “Presiding over the third Assembly is a great honour for me. I particularly appreciate the opportunity to attempt to take the constitution forward to a position where we will be legislating and scrutinising” Rosemary Butler AM for Newport West has been elected as the Deputy Presiding Officer. Mrs Butler said: “It is a great honour to be elected to this very important post at one of the most crucial periods of the Assembly's development. The Assembly will have to think very carefully about its new law-making powers and procedures in the coming months, and I will help as much as possible. “As the Chinese say, ' may you live in interesting times', and I certainly think that this will be true here in Cardiff Bay. I look forward to working with Dafydd Elis-Thomas for whom I have the greatest respect, and I intend to work closely with all members of the Assembly on a fair and even handed basis."