Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD

The final item of business is a members' business debate on motion S6M-16282, in the name of Beatrice Wishart, on opportunities and challenges for Scotland’s...

Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (LD) LD

Thanks to those who supported the motion and the debate and to everyone who provided briefings. Despite championing our world-class seafood, the Scottish Gov...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

Thank you, Ms Wishart. I echo your comments on the loss of Dr Ian Napier. We move to the open debate. I advise members that we are a bit pressed for time, g...

Karen Adam (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) SNP

I thank my colleague Beatrice Wishart for securing the debate. I am the convener of the Parliament’s cross-party group on fisheries and coastal communities. ...

Tim Eagle (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I could speed things up by saying, “Ditto” to both of the preceding speeches, but I will add a wee bit to the debate. I thank Beatrice Wishart for bringing t...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

Thank you, Mr Eagle. I encourage members not to bring their speeches in on time by cutting the surnames of other members. That aside, I commend you for comin...

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab

I thank Beatrice Wishart for securing this members’ business debate and for her fitting tribute to Dr Ian Napier. I, too, send my condolences to his family. ...

Ariane Burgess (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Green

I welcome the opportunity to speak about Scotland’s fisheries, particularly given that—as my colleague Beatrice Wishart pointed out—the annual end-of-year fi...

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Con

Will the member give way?

Ariane Burgess Green

I have heard that we are short on time and I want to conclude my points, but I thank the member for trying. We need to address all those things and design a...

Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I, too, congratulate Beatrice Wishart on lodging the motion and on the way in which she opened the debate. I also associate myself with her remarks—and yours...

Fergus Ewing (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) SNP

I, too, congratulate Beatrice Wishart on her speech and on her support for the fishing industry. Indeed, she is following in the tradition of her predecessor...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

Thank you, Mr Ewing. Whether or not you are ripping them up, props should not be waved around in the chamber. The final speaker in the open debate is Finlay...

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Con

I thank Beatrice Wishart for bringing the debate to the chamber today. It is disappointing that the Scottish Government has not held a debate on fisheries fo...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

You need to conclude.

Finlay Carson Con

Skipinnish’s lyrics resonate deeply with our inshore fishermen and their current plight. They are witnessing their livelihoods being eroded. Let us honour th...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

Thank you, Mr Carson. I invite Mairi Gougeon to respond to the debate. 18:24

The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands (Mairi Gougeon) SNP

I will start by associating myself with the comments that were made by Beatrice Wishart about Dr Ian Napier. I extend my sympathies and condolences to his fa...