Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 10 March 2011
10 Mar 2011 · S3 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
First Minister’s Question Time
Old Firm Summit
I salute the work of the nine anti-sectarianism groups that are funded by the Government. As the member well knows, that funding has increased substantially during the past three years and it is money well spent. The actions and direction of organisations such as the sense over sectarianism project, Nil by Mouth, Show Racism/Bigotry the Red Card, the Iona Community, the Youth Community Support Agency, Bridging the Gap and Supporters Direct in Scotland are community-based actions that should be lauded and supported by every single person in the chamber.
Earlier I mentioned the action group that was formed from Tuesday’s summit. That will go ahead with good work. The work of the other groups that I mentioned is to be supported and co-ordinated so that we can be certain that the excellent work that they do has the maximum effect. In addition to supporting each of those groups, as we should do, the co-ordination and the will to make that happen will mean that community initiatives receive greater support from the national Parliament and have greater impact in the communities in which they work.
Earlier I mentioned the action group that was formed from Tuesday’s summit. That will go ahead with good work. The work of the other groups that I mentioned is to be supported and co-ordinated so that we can be certain that the excellent work that they do has the maximum effect. In addition to supporting each of those groups, as we should do, the co-ordination and the will to make that happen will mean that community initiatives receive greater support from the national Parliament and have greater impact in the communities in which they work.
In the same item of business
Anne McLaughlin (Glasgow) (SNP)
SNP
4. To ask the First Minister what progress was made at the summit on Tuesday 8 March concerning the disorder at and following recent old firm football matche...
The First Minister (Alex Salmond)
SNP
The Scottish Government, at the request of Strathclyde Police, was happy to convene Tuesday’s summit to chart a way forward. There was good will from all par...
Anne McLaughlin
SNP
Does the First Minister agree that one of the biggest concerns about football violence is related domestic violence? That is not caused by football, nor is i...
The First Minister
SNP
I thank Anne McLaughlin for raising the issue. The rise in the incidence of domestic violence after old firm clashes was charted and presented by the chief c...
James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the continuation of funding to groups that are involved in shifting attitudes against sectarianism. There is no doubt that it is a complex issue th...
The First Minister
SNP
I salute the work of the nine anti-sectarianism groups that are funded by the Government. As the member well knows, that funding has increased substantially ...
Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD)
LD
Does the First Minister agree that the overwhelmingly searing image of the recent events was the sight of the manager of Celtic and the assistant manager of ...
The First Minister
SNP
Yes, that was discussed at the summit. The clubs willingly made undertakings and the police made proposals that were directed at addressing and reinforcing t...