Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame) SNP

Before we start, I should say that there is absolutely no time in hand, so members must not overrun their timings for their speeches—I am sorry. The next it...

Gordon Lindhurst (Lothian) (Con) Con

We have all faced a dilemma before, and at times we may even have been tested by a trilemma, but how many of us have had to contend with a quadrilemma? That ...

The Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands (Paul Wheelhouse) SNP

I am grateful to the member for taking an intervention, and I will keep it brief. This is just to correct the record: the Scottish energy advisory board has ...

Gordon Lindhurst Con

I am delighted to hear that, and I stand corrected, if what I have said is incorrect. It was two years ago that the committee made the case for an “indepen...

The Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands (Paul Wheelhouse) SNP

I am delighted to have the opportunity to participate in today’s debate and to discuss the committee’s inquiry into energy policy in Scotland in more detail....

Alexander Burnett (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Con

I direct members to my entry in the register of members’ interests regarding renewable energy and energy efficiency. Although members across the chamber wil...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Thank you for keeping to your time. 16:23

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab

The Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee’s energy inquiry is based on the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s “Scotland’s Energy Future” report. The committee al...

Paul Wheelhouse SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

Rhoda Grant Lab

I think that I—

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I was about to intervene, myself. Please conclude, Ms Grant.

Rhoda Grant Lab

It seems that we are unable to harness our natural resources for a just transition. I welcome the committee’s inquiry but recognise that there is much to be ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I call Andy Wightman to open for the Scottish Green Party. You have four minutes. 16:27

Andy Wightman (Lothian) (Green) Green

I welcome the committee’s findings. I thank the clerks for their work, and all those who gave evidence. Energy is a bit of a wicked policy area as it involv...

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD

I start by acknowledging that I am in receipt of feed-in tariff payments and renewable heat incentive scheme payments. I warmly welcome the Economy, Energy ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Thank you. I ask members to keep to time, please. The speeches in the open debate should all be four minutes long. 16:36

Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) SNP

I start by reminding Liam McArthur that some ministers Inaudible. bad weather, especially snow. However, to move to the subject in hand, I join others in th...

Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con) Con

I congratulate Gordon Lindhurst on making what was probably the most entertaining contribution that I have ever heard him make in this chamber. I also congra...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I was trying to be subtle, Mr Simpson; you did not have to mention it. 16:44

Dr Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) SNP

As others have observed, the Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee mentioned in its report the need to be honest with the public about the changes that peo...

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

This is a valuable debate, in which we can all learn from each other about local energy experiences, successes and challenges. I commend the Economy, Energy ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Can I ask you to wind up, please?

Claudia Beamish Lab

I will do. A national energy company could take on the energy quadrilemma with vigour and could be a key part of our climate future—

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Ms Beamish, you are a star, but that is not winding up. I am just going to move on. Thank you very much. 16:52

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP) SNP

I welcome the important work that has been done by the committee in conducting a health check on Scotland’s energy policies. It is particularly encouraging t...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

That, Ms Beamish, is how to keep to your time. 16:56

Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Con) Con

Dealing with the energy quadrilemma in four minutes seems to be a real gallop, so I will try to focus on one area, to which Graham Simpson alluded. I am a re...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I will have to pull the plug on you. I am sorry.

Michelle Ballantyne Con

So my talk is short. I am enthusiastic, but the minister must look at some of those points.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Thank you. To avoid curtailing the debate, I am minded to accept a motion without notice to move decision time to 5.30. I invite the business manager, Graem...