Introduction

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/democracylive/hi/guides/newsid_8052000/8052008.stm

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Introductory Video

On 18 September 1997, the people of Wales voted in a referendum on devolution.

They may have voted yes, but it was by the thinnest of margins - 50.3% to 49.7%. Nevertheless, a new dawn had broken, as the then-Welsh Secretary Ron Davies claimed.

Although wheels were set in motion for a National Assembly for Wales, those in favour had a huge task to convince those who had voted against it - and those who hadn't voted at all - that it would benefit the country.

However Mr Davies also said: "Devolution is a process, not an event."

Laws from scratch

That proved to be the case. The Government of Wales Act 1998 established the Assembly but it wasn't until a second act in 2006 that it gained the ability to make its own laws from scratch rather than adapting legislation created in Westminster.

However, the Assembly still has to ask MPs for permission to legislate in some areas.

The process has not been without its problems. There has been bickering between Cardiff Bay and Westminster over the finer details of certain requests for the power to legislate.

Two areas which have seen a tug-of-war along the M4 have been the issue of the Welsh language and affordable housing.

The Assembly prides itself on avoiding the "yah-boo" politics of Westminster.

And although chamber sessions do get heated from time to time, the Presiding Officer insists on limiting the shouting and jeering heard all too often on the floor of the Commons.

He has even been known to switch off an AM's microphone if comments get too long-winded.

The <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home.htm">Senedd</a> , sited in the area formally known as Tiger Bay, plays home to the 60 AMs.

<left>KEY FACTS</left> <ul class="bulletList" ><li>There are 60 Assembly Members, made up of 40 constituent AMs and 20 regional AMs</li><li>Plenary sessions are held twice a week on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons</li><li>Since 2007 the Government in Cardiff Bay is made up of a coalition between Labour and Plaid Cymru AMs</li><li>The Senedd houses the debating chamber and committee rooms</li></ul> <ul class="bulletList" ><li>There are 12 subject committees, on issues such as Enterprise and Learning, and Sustainability</li><li>The Senedd was officially opened by the Queen on St David's Day in 2006</li><li>There are five legislative committees that scrutinise new measures or further requests for power</li><li>The Senedd building was designed by the architect Lord Richard Rogers</li></ul>