Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani) SNP

The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S5M-01734, in the name of Graeme Dey, on the relaunch of the species champions initiative. ...

Graeme Dey (Angus South) (SNP) SNP

I thank members across the chamber, from all five parties, for supporting the motion, which celebrates the relaunch of Scottish Environment LINK’s species ch...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Thank you, Mr Dey. You are stealing the words from my script—indeed, a load of members want to speak, so I am minded to accept a motion from Graeme Dey, unde...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I hope that members will all stick to three minutes each, because that is the only way in which we will manage to get all the species mentioned and let every...

Bruce Crawford (Stirling) (SNP) SNP

I sincerely thank and congratulate my friend Graeme Dey on securing the debate. The number of MSPs who are taking part demonstrates well the pride that we al...

Maurice Golden (West Scotland) (Con) Con

It is an honour and a privilege to participate in the debate. I recognise the contribution of the Woodland Trust and of Lorna Scott from RSPB Scotland, whom ...

Gail Ross (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) SNP

I am delighted to be the species champion for the red squirrel, which is the United Kingdom’s only native squirrel. Numbers have declined rapidly since the i...

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab

I congratulate Graeme Dey on securing today’s debate, which has had widespread interest from members and which is one of the most interesting debates that we...

Maree Todd (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) SNP

I thank Scottish Environment LINK and the Marine Conservation Society for introducing me to my species. I am delighted to have the opportunity to talk tonigh...

Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Green) Green

I thank Graeme Dey for hosting this important and popular debate. I am the proud champion of the hare and, in order to make the most of this brief parliament...

Ruth Maguire (Cunninghame South) (SNP) SNP

I will be honest and say that, when I first heard about the species champion programme, I asked for a fox. I was not allowed one as, I am told, they are not ...

Alexander Burnett (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Con

I thank Graeme Dey for securing the debate and Scottish Environment LINK for inviting me to follow in the footsteps of former Conservative MSP Mary Scanlon a...

Angus MacDonald (Falkirk East) (SNP) SNP

I thank Graeme Dey for bringing the debate to the chamber and for his work in promoting the species champion initiative in this and the previous parliamentar...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I reassure you, Mr MacDonald, that the clock stopped and was restarted. You did in fact speak for longer than one and a half minutes.

Angus MacDonald SNP

I wondered. 17:38

Johann Lamont (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

It is a privilege to be part of the debate. They say that every day is a school day, and today I have learned probably a great deal more than I needed to kno...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Come to a close, please.

Johann Lamont Lab

This is a very important public awareness issue. I thank Graeme Dey again and look forward to continuing as species champion for the lapwing. 17:42

Jenny Gilruth (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) SNP

I am delighted to speak today in support of my colleague Graeme Dey MSP’s motion on the species champion initiative. Furthermore, as a member of the Environm...

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Green

I thank Graeme Dey for bringing the debate to the chamber and I congratulate Scottish Environment LINK on successfully relaunching the species champion progr...

Mairi Evans (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) SNP

I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate and I thank Graeme Dey for relaunching the initiative, which I hope that all MSPs will eventually sign up to...

Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab

I thank Graeme Dey for bringing the debate to the Parliament. I have been fortunate—after hearing Bruce Crawford and Angus MacDonald, I think that I have bee...

Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) SNP

I congratulate Graeme Dey on securing the debate. I am pleased to state that this is my second year as species champion for the house sparrow, or speug. I am...

Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (LD) LD

As you know, Presiding Officer, I always listen very carefully to Roseanna Cunningham’s winding-up speeches. Tonight will be no exception, especially as she ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

That concludes the open debate. I have really enjoyed all the speeches. I have been sitting here, trying to imagine the characteristics that you all share wi...

The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (Roseanna Cunningham) SNP

I congratulate Graeme Dey on securing the debate and thank all members for their contributions. It has been good to focus on the wonderful diversity of speci...