Committee
European and External Relations Committee, 13 Mar 2007
13 Mar 2007 · S2 · European and External Relations Committee
Item of business
Sift
The most unenjoyable period that I spent on the European and External Relations Committee was the time when I was also on the Edinburgh Tram (Line One) Bill Committee. Because of the nature of that committee, I was required to miss quite a number of this committee's meetings. Otherwise, I could hardly be held back from coming along. I have enjoyed every minute of my participation, and I have enjoyed working with all committee members, despite our various altercations. I have particularly enjoyed arguing with Irene Oldfather, who holds some views on Europe that are diametrically opposed to mine, although we do hold one view in common, as I certainly would not advocate our coming out of Europe. That is a different argument from the one that divides us, which is about what we do within the European Union.Quite honestly, I think that the committee has had a lot to put up with because of my contributions at times. I have tended to extend meetings and I have often heard Gordon Jackson and Charlie Gordon saying, "Oh, not him again." I have enjoyed every minute of it. Like Dennis Canavan, I wish those colleagues who will not be back all the best for whatever they do when they leave the Parliament.
In the same item of business
The Convener:
SNP
The next item on the agenda is the sift. I see that we are 10 or 15 minutes ahead of the very loose timings suggested in the convener's brief so, in honour o...
Irene Oldfather:
Lab
I was going to agree it in Phil Gallie's honour.
The Convener:
SNP
Phil, the floor is yours.
Phil Gallie:
Con
You have caught me on the hop, convener. Given the number of documents that we receive under this item, it is always interesting to pick out a few and look a...
The Convener:
SNP
There is a lawyer sitting beside you.
Phil Gallie:
Con
Aye, but he is not from Philadelphia.I have to say that there were so many items in the sift that I did not spend a great deal of time on it this month. That...
The Convener:
SNP
Is that your swan song, Phil?
Phil Gallie:
Con
On the sift, yes, it is.
Dennis Canavan:
Ind
Hear, hear.
The Convener:
SNP
If members have no other comments, do we agree to refer the documents to the committees indicated?Members indicated agreement.
The Convener:
SNP
As that concludes what is likely to be our final item in public in this parliamentary session, I thank members very much for their attendance at and particip...
Irene Oldfather:
Lab
I have been on the committee since 1999, so I am one of the longest-serving members. So is Dennis Canavan, whom I will be sorry to lose. Despite many changes...
The Convener:
SNP
The dynamic duo.
Irene Oldfather:
Lab
I thank Dennis Canavan for the work that he put into the committee. I also thank John Home Robertson, who was deputy convener when I was convener. John was a...
Dennis Canavan:
Ind
As the joint longest-serving member of the committee, I thank the convener for her excellent convenership. I also thank the deputy convener who, like me, was...
Phil Gallie:
Con
The most unenjoyable period that I spent on the European and External Relations Committee was the time when I was also on the Edinburgh Tram (Line One) Bill ...
The Convener:
SNP
You have to say something now, Jim.
Mr Wallace:
LD
I was going to give Gordon Jackson a chance. I thank members for their kind words. I also thank you, convener. This is the only committee of the Parliament t...
The Convener:
SNP
Thank you for that. I am sure that John Home Robertson would have liked to say something at this point, too, but he cannot. On his behalf, therefore, I will ...
Meeting continued in private until 16:17.