In typically understated style, the Welsh Assembly yesterday settled down to its first full session following the devolution of power from Westminster and once again tackled the controversial beef-on-the-bone ban.
The First Secretary for Wales, Mr Alun Michael, presented the transfer orders devolving power to the assembly to the presiding officer, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, on Wednesday and after that ceremony was complete there was a lull in proceedings until yesterday's discussions.
The real work was about to begin. Officially taking control of the £8 billion former Welsh office budget under the terms of the Government of Wales Act, the first secretary declared that a new phase in Welsh life was finally underway. The plaque on the wall of the former Welsh Office in Cardiff had been unscrewed; the new National Assembly for Wales was up and running and all that was left for Mr Michael was to declare: "This is the end of one phase of the devolution process and the beginning of a new chapter for Wales. In many ways this is the most significant day in the devolution process."
When it came to beef-on-the-bone there was a little more excitement. The assembly wants the ban lifted as soon as possible and three groups of farmers and landowners giving evidence to the agriculture and rural development committee agreed but found little common ground on the modalities of lifting the ban.