Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 05 November 2014
05 Nov 2014 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Tackling Sectarianism
The motion refers to scrutiny by a committee. It may be that the motion is not drafted properly, so perhaps Elaine Murray will welcome the Scottish Government’s input and its amendment. There has been no failure from the Equal Opportunities Committee’s convener, but there has been a proportionate and cross-party approach to helping to tackle sectarianism.
I remember that, when we were taking evidence, in answer to Siobhan McMahon, Dr Morrow stated:
“As we have already said, the issue cannot be addressed as a party-political issue. If it is addressed in that way, as I know from my experience, it becomes extremely difficult to have a serious conversation about it.”—[Official Report, Equal Opportunities Committee, 20 February 2014; c 1826.]
We need a cultural change—one that can be led from this Government and this Parliament through the tone of our debates in the chamber and at committee.
Michael McMahon (Uddingston and Bellshill) (Lab) rose—
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-11395, in the name of Elaine Murray, on tackling sectarianism. I will allow a few moments for members, pa...
Elaine Murray (Dumfriesshire) (Lab)
Lab
When, on 14 December 2011, the Scottish Government used its majority to railroad through the Parliament the controversial Offensive Behaviour at Football and...
Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
SNP
Does the member accept that—
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Can we have Christine Grahame’s microphone on, please?
Christine Grahame
SNP
My card is in, Presiding Officer.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
It is working now.
Christine Grahame
SNP
I know that I have a big voice, but I will obey the rules. Does the member accept that, on 4 March this year, the Justice Committee took substantial evidenc...
Elaine Murray
Lab
Indeed, but I am talking about an in-depth investigation by committees and, in particular, discussion by the Parliament given its interest in the legislation...
Christian Allard (North East Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Elaine Murray
Lab
Sorry, but I had better press on. The frustration of the anti-sectarianism campaigners Nil by Mouth has built up to such a stage that, before the October r...
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
The Equal Opportunities Committee did look at the report and agreed that, because the advisory group was carrying on, it would look at it again in future—whi...
Elaine Murray
Lab
I have seen the letter from the convener of the committee. As a member of the Justice Committee, which could also look at the report, I accept that parliamen...
Fiona McLeod (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Elaine Murray
Lab
No. I am afraid that I must get on. I know that we will hear from the Government that it committed £9 million over three years to research, education and co...
The Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs (Roseanna Cunningham)
SNP
I assure everyone in the chamber that this Government remains completely committed to tackling sectarianism. The level of that commitment can be seen in the ...
Elaine Murray
Lab
How many of those 44 funded projects will continue after March next year? Has any evaluation of their success been undertaken?
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
Of course that is happening. No project has any right to assume that funding will continue without its outcomes being assessed, and that is one of the key jo...
Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
I congratulate Labour on allocating its parliamentary time to a debate on this important issue. Expressions of religious hatred, regardless of how they are ...
John Mason
SNP
Does the member think that legislation was or can be part of the answer or that it must be purely about education?
Margaret Mitchell
Con
I will come to that precise point. In 2011, that act was railroaded through by the SNP majority Government in the face of opposition from Scottish Conservat...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We now move to the open debate. Speeches should be four minutes, please. Time is fairly tight. 15:03
Christian Allard (North East Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
We can all agree that we have a problem and that we need to talk about it. The key in this debate, inside or outside the chamber, is that sectarianism needs ...
Elaine Murray
Lab
Can I just make a point of information about that?
Christian Allard
SNP
First, let me read out to Elaine Murray a letter dated 1 April from our convener Margaret McCulloch, to Dr Morrow. The letter is important because it says wh...
Elaine Murray
Lab
My motion does not comment on the failure of any committee; rather, it comments on the fact that Parliament has not discussed the report. That is the importa...
Christian Allard
SNP
The motion refers to scrutiny by a committee. It may be that the motion is not drafted properly, so perhaps Elaine Murray will welcome the Scottish Governmen...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Have you finished your speech?
Christian Allard
SNP
Did I have four minutes?
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Yes. You have finished your speech. 15:07
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab)
Lab
The forthcoming old firm match has attracted the media’s attention even though it is three months away. Although it has been nearly three years since they la...