Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies has hosted an event in the National Assembly to draw attention to the opportunities presented by the creation of .cymru and .wales domains on the internet. The event invited Assembly Members to find out more about a new consultation launched by Nominet, the not-for-profit organisation best known for running the .uk infrastructure.

Having submitted applications for .cymru and .wales earlier this year, Nominet is now seeking views to ensure that the new top level domains meet the needs of a wide range of stakeholders in Wales and beyond. Feedback is being sought on a number of areas including:

• Whether there should be any link between the .cymru and .wales domain names and if so, how such a connection might operate.
• Whether there should be any restrictions on who can register a .cymru or .wales domain.
• The approach to managing domain names in Welsh.
• Proposals for the launch of the new domain name spaces, including the approach to trademarks and other rights.

Commenting on the event, Paul Davies said: "This is a really exciting opportunity for Wales in the twenty first century. An independent economic study conducted by LE Wales last year found widespread support from both businesses and consumers for Wales establishing its own domain space on the internet. The study concluded that there were strong opportunities for business to brand 'Wales' to the world and to strengthen the visibility and use of the Welsh language on the internet. It's important Nominet gets that right and I was pleased to host an event to enable the issue to be discussed with Assembly Members from all parties and across the whole of Wales."

Former Wales international rugby captain Ieuan Evans MBE, who chairs Nominet's Wales Advisory Group, said: "Promoting and positioning Wales to the global market place should really concern us all if we are to gain economic prosperity. We all recognise the value that a strong Welsh brand can bring on the international stage and the new top level domains will really help to support this. Many people will want to have their say on how the new domains will work. I am proud to be able to play a role in this process and I would urge you to do the same by responding to the consultation."

Baroness Fritchie, the Chair of Nominet commented: "We believe that the new top level domains will help to create a vibrant and trusted online home for Wales. We are now consulting extensively in order to develop policies that will enable us to offer domain name spaces that meet the needs of the Welsh community as a whole."