On the eve of a meeting held between Hywel Francis MP and Carwyn Jones AM tomorrow (21/07/09), to discuss the process of transferring further powers to the Assembly through Legislative Competence Orders, Cymdeithas yr Iaith has expressed concerns and highlighted the restrictions that the society has experienced with the process. Cymdeithas yr Iaith, who has been involved with Legislative Competence Orders concerning the Welsh Language and Housing, believes that the process is so long and overcomplicated that it further alienates the people of Wales from political and democratic engagement.Sioned Haf, Lobbying Officer for Cymdeithas yr Iaith said:''The fiasco of the Language LCO has proven that all powers are in the hands of the politicians and that the voice of the people of Wales is insignificant. Indisputable, evidence was presented to both Assembly and Westminste committees, by citizens in Wales, of the need to transfer legislative powers for the language fully from London to Wales. Despite this, Peter Hain has placed more restrictions in the way of the Language Order, and it appears that the Welsh Affairs Committee want to discuss the matter again."

"It is already a slow and complicated process, without the further delay construed by politicians. There is a dire need for the Welsh Assembly to receive the ability to create purposeful Measures to resolve linguistic disparities that exist in Wales, and at haste.''"Any further unneccessary discussions and delays will be of no benefit at all for the Assembly Government to decide upon the final wording of th LCO. Two years is time enough, it is vital for the Assembly Government to act now."Cymdeithas yr Iaith also questions elements of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee report. Following the publication of the Welsh Affairs Committees' report at the beginning of the month, Cymdeithas yr Iaith introduced a freedom of information application to see a copy of any legal advice recieved by the Committee, leading to the suggestion that the LCO, or a Measure based upon it, could be open to legal challenges. The response recieved revealed that there was no document relating to that information!Cymdeithas yr Iaith hopea that the meeting tomorrow will be used to highlight the problems relating to the existing arrangement of Legislative Competence Orders, enabling a streamlined and democratic process of devolving powers, so that the people of Wales can prove a tangible change.