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Hansard

Every contribution to the Official Report — chamber and committee — searchable in one place. Pulled from data.parliament.scot, indexed for full-text search, linked through to every MSP.

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1999–2026

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Official Report

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Showing 60 of 2,354,908 contributions. Latest 30 days: 0. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 25 Mar 2026.

Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Remote, Rural and Island Communities (Sustainability)

I thank Jamie Halcro Johnston for allowing us to debate, on the final day of the parliamentary session, the many issues that he and I have fought most hard on over the course of it.I have been really lucky with my regional colleagues—Rhoda Grant, Edward Mountain, Ariane Burges...

Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Standing Order Rule Changes (Elected Conveners)

Martin Whitfield made a comparison with the election of deputy presiding officers. Will he confirm that he does not envisage more rounds of exhaustive balloting for every single committee convener?

Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Health and Social Care Partnerships (Budget 2026-27)

The Scottish National Party’s budget provides welcome investment in Scotland’s primary care service. Can the cabinet secretary say any more about how the investment in new walk-in centres will address the 8 am rush and increase access to primary care? Does she agree that Labou...

Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Energy Prices (Impact on Businesses of Middle East Conflict)

Defence experts cited in a recent RenewableUK report have urged for there to be an acceleration of renewables development in order to shield against further geopolitical shocks. Does the minister agree that it is more important than ever for Scotland to develop renewables gene...

Emma Roddick SNP Chamber

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Colleagues will know that, in general, I am a big fan of data. It is important that, if the bill becomes law, we collect the right data.Amendment 287 would require reporting under the act to include analysis of trends, patient safety risks and safeguarding concerns. There are ...

Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I have a note from the Mental Welfare Commission, which found that strategies for monitoring and reviewing existing independent advocacy services are “variable”. The bill is quiet on how that system would be monitored and reviewed, so is the member confident that independent a...

Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Business Motions

I appreciate that it might be easy to misunderstand the point about a member being able to get home tonight or after business finishes tomorrow, but that is not the case for everyone. In order to vote and take part in business remotely, a member would need to travel home, whic...

Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) SNP Chamber

A common thread throughout all the reports, as well as conversations in wider society, is the importance of a respectful culture when discussing or working in mental health services. How is the Scottish Government working to champion the rights of vulnerable children and young...

Emma Roddick SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · National Performing Companies

I was copied in to a letter from Eden Court to the cabinet secretary, which I am aware that he has responded to. I enjoy the benefits of Scottish Ballet, Scottish Opera, the National Theatre of Scotland, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra ...

2. Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · National Performing Companies

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting Scotland’s national performing companies. (S6O-05612)

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Has there been an assessment of any costs that could be incurred as a result of not continuing schemes?

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

I suppose, though, the fact that the funding has continued over every year shows that it is needed.

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Does that work for both parties, though? Does it make sense to just carry on and not to commit any further forward than the current moment?

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

The goose management policy review stated that the goose management schemes would end in April 2023, but the Scottish Government has suggested that that funding has continued in the interim. What does that look like on the ground, and how has work continued within that period ...

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

However, if we still do not know enough, should the research piece not come before the development of new farms?

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

There has been a lot of discussion about research, counting fish and understanding more about what is impacting on wild stocks. Are we at the point at which we can be confident about whether a proposed or new farm will have an impact?

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

One of the biggest concerns that is raised with us about the placement of farms is their potential interaction with wild salmon, and I note that the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 places a duty on“every public body and office-holder, in exercising any functions, to fu...

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

Do we know the extent of any environmental and interactions impacts?

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

It would be really good to see progress made on that.The other point that Fisheries Management Scotland raised in that session was about the apparent gap in reporting escapes. There was a reference to a wellboat escape that was not captured in the aquaculture database. It seem...

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

I understand why it would need to be done in collaboration with the industry, but I was quite concerned by the responses on escapes in the previous evidence session on salmon farming. A couple of quite large escapes had been discussed in a bit of detail, and regulators were as...

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

Thanks, convener. Fisheries Management Scotland commented that work on progressing the recommendations of the salmon interactions working group has stalled because staff have moved on. What is being done to ensure that momentum is not lost as a result?

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

We are not ahead of the problems. We keep setting new records for mortality rates, and it sounds as though, just because Scottish salmon is internationally renowned and has a high price tag, we are content with that.

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

I am concerned about what is going on. I have just read the Scottish Government’s press release on why it is in everybody’s best interests to manage mortality in salmon farms. It sounds as though we are saying, “The farmers are experiencing mass mortality events and are trying...

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

In the last session, Professor Dwyer said that having mandatory mortality reporting is important in relation to livestock welfare issues. Given that it is clear that a lot of data on mortalities is collected at the site level and that, in many cases, that data also includes th...

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

Going back to the cabinet secretary’s—

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

It still seems, then, that if there were a systemic issue, it would be very hard to spot using that data.

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

And are we able, using that data, to pinpoint whether there are locational, geographical difficulties or difficulties with particular farms or operators?

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

Are you confident that those are the total figures and that nothing is missing?

Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) SNP Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

Cabinet secretary, I am concerned that the mortality figures that we are scrutinising are still incomplete. We still cannot see mortality figures in freshwater during transport, during the six-week transfer period or, as you mentioned, for cleaner fish during culling. How can ...

Emma Roddick SNP Chamber

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I appreciate that capacity is covered. My amendments 140 and 141 are not simply about capacity. There is a difference between being able to understand information and having that information actively offered. Does Liam McArthur appreciate that?

Emma Roddick SNP Chamber

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Does the member share my concern, in listening to the debate, that, if we required people not to have suicidal ideation to access assisted dying, that would encourage people not to be open about the suicidal ideation that they understandably face when dealing with a chronic il...

Emma Roddick SNP Chamber

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I appreciate that Christine Grahame is happy with the section as it has been drafted, but I am not, and I know that many others are not happy with it, either. My amendment is not simply about demonstrating capacity; it is about digging into the individual’s social context. It ...

Emma Roddick SNP Chamber

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Again, it would come down to having a conversation. People who regularly have such conversations are trained to understand the responses that they get as part of their work. I have spoken with social workers about amendment 141, and I understand their concerns about not being ...

Emma Roddick SNP Chamber

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I would rather it be too broad than too narrow. An argument could probably be made that amendment 140 would capture me. If I were to be in the situation of seeking assisted dying, I would be happy to have a conversation with a social worker who would make sure that I had every...

Emma Roddick SNP Chamber

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Colleagues who have heard my arguments throughout the bill’s progress will know that, despite wishing that I could feel comfortable with the proposal and knowing that there are many situations in which I would want people to have the choice, my concerns about health inequaliti...

Emma Roddick SNP Chamber

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I agree with the amendment in principle and think that it is really important. However, I am curious as to why the plan would be fully costed and why that information would go to the patient, which would seem to be an unnecessary burden on them.

Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I am interested, because the proposed amendments also do not differentiate between a pregnancy prior to 24 weeks and one post 24 weeks. Why is that? Will Stephen Kerr explain a little more the justification for testing whether women who seek assisted dying are pregnant, as pre...

Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Disabled People’s Representation in Scottish Democracy

I thank Jeremy Balfour for lodging the motion. When I attended the disability summit with him a fortnight ago, it was lovely to see so many adjustments across the Parliament, from ramps around the building to live captioning throughout the event at the front of the chamber. It...

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Ethical Standards Commissioner

What are the pros of targets?

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Ethical Standards Commissioner

Within that, do you expect any changes to targets or the way in which things are monitored?

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Ethical Standards Commissioner

That is good. The “State of the Nation: Diversity in Public Appointments” report shows that the number of female applicants and appointees is above the target, but the same cannot be said for disabled and black and minority ethnic appointees. How do you reflect on those findin...

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Ethical Standards Commissioner

There has been a rise in satisfaction levels for public appointments adviser involvement. How do you intent to maintain or even improve on that?

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Ethical Standards Commissioner

On public appointments and oversight, there have been some fluctuations in the numbers of open appointment rounds, reappointments and extensions to appointments, compared to the numbers in previous reports. What factors are involved in that?

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Ethical Standards Commissioner

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Ethical Standards Commissioner

If an investigation is needed to determine admissibility, how long does that currently take?

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Ethical Standards Commissioner

Can I clarify the figures? Does the six months that it takes to complete an investigation include determining admissibility as well as the actual—

Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) SNP Committee

Ethical Standards Commissioner

When was that policy decision made and when did it come into effect?

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Wildfires in Scotland

If not the forum members, who should be driving implementation?

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Wildfires in Scotland

You mentioned the need for a cross-sector approach, and said that the Wildfire Forum is a good place for informal discussion but perhaps not a driver of change or for co-ordination. Where should that role sit? Should the forum and its members have more of a role in directing p...

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Wildfires in Scotland

That sounds like the approach relies on people asking you for advice or working with you proactively. Do you think that there needs to be more co-ordination there?

Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) SNP Committee

Wildfires in Scotland

Grant, I want to come back to you about something that you touched on in relation to the previous theme, which is that the CNPA is doing a lot of work on prevention. How did you decide which methods to go with, and how will they be evaluated? Is there enough opportunity for yo...

Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Ferguson Marine

It is vital that we invest in the yard’s future sustainability, so I warmly welcome this announcement from the Deputy First Minister. Can she say any more about the expected timeline for delivery of these vessels and the benefits of a confirmed pipeline of work?

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Scottish Information Commissioner

My concern is about where there should be intervention from legislation or policy to tighten up what can be done. There are legitimate uses of those tools, but AI also opens us up to the potential of people overwhelming public authorities on purpose, whether that is local peop...

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Scottish Information Commissioner

Yes. I can empathise with that situation entirely. With a lot of casework that MSPs get, the trick is trying to figure out whether it is a constituent who did not feel confident drafting something themselves—that might also be the case in the example that you gave, and that se...

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Scottish Information Commissioner

How good are public bodies at discerning whether a request is vexatious or just difficult to deal with?

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Scottish Information Commissioner

Is that partly because of the way in which the system was designed? I sit and figure out how to word what it is that I am looking for, but it is then perhaps difficult to look at my request because authorities think, “Where is she going with this?”

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Scottish Information Commissioner

You mentioned dealing with interlinked cases and being a bit smarter about them. Are particular themes emerging in the appeals that come through to your office?

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Scottish Information Commissioner

The numbers alone kind of answer this, but is there a risk that a new backlog will appear?

Emma Roddick SNP Committee

Scottish Information Commissioner

How much of the increase in appeals and in cases overall is a result of certain individuals putting in more, rather than the wider public becoming more attuned to using FOI?

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Committee

Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee 05 March 2026 [Draft]

05 Mar 2026 · S6 · Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Item of business

Ethical Standards Commissioner

Roddick, Emma SNP Highlands and Islands Watch on SPTV

That is good. The “State of the Nation: Diversity in Public Appointments” report shows that the number of female applicants and appointees is above the target, but the same cannot be said for disabled and black and minority ethnic appointees. How do you reflect on those findings, and what comes next with regard to improving those figures?

In the same item of business

The Convener Lab

Our next item is evidence from Ian Bruce, the Ethical Standards Commissioner, on his annual report and accounts for 2024-25. Welcome back to the committee, I...

Ian Bruce (Ethical Standards Commissioner)

Good morning. Thank you, convener and members, for the opportunity to provide evidence. I have prepared a brief opening statement, to ensure that there is as...

The Convener Lab

Thank you very much. I hope that, between us, we do not ruin our reputation in this meeting.As usual, as the convener, I have the privilege of leaping in fir...

The Convener Lab

There will be a risk, but, in your view, how serious is it?

There will be none on my watch. As you know, public appointments are my wheelhouse, and the quality of appointments matters—that is the reality. As long as o...

The Convener Lab

You have confidence that those lines of communication—that is, those by which red flags would be identified—are much stronger now than they were, say, five y...

Absolutely. The other thing to say is that there is now a threshold for whistleblowing to occur. That was not necessarily reached when the office was in the ...

The Convener Lab

That is very reassuring.Something that I know exists—you have certainly updated it more than once—is the investigations manual. What benefits has that brough...

Indeed. It means that everything is handled in a consistent way. There are very clear guardrails in place.Those with an interest—not just complainers, but th...

The Convener Lab

It is a bit of a living document that reflects experience.

It is, absolutely.

The Convener Lab

Excellent. I call Sue Webber.

Sue Webber Con

Commissioner, I want to ask about the funding that you operate with currently. You are fully funded by the SPCB, but I see that there was a decision to surre...

Things are going absolutely fine this year. We get a monthly financial forecast from the finance team, which the senior management team looks at. We are acut...

Sue Webber Con

That is very fiscally prudent of you, commissioner. I am not going to disagree with your approach.In your introductory remarks, you mentioned the increase in...

You will probably have seen from our risk register that one of the risks for us is that all the staff are moving on to a 35-hour working week. You will be ab...

Sue Webber Con

Can you share any specific examples of that?

Yes. First, we have moved on to SharePoint and Office 365, which gives us the advantage of access to Copilot. It is a form of artificial intelligence—a large...

Sue Webber Con

That helps with turnover and speeds everything up.

It does speed everything up, but it also means that case allocation happens more quickly than previously, and we can also get out to people immediately if th...

Sue Webber Con

If the move to a 35-hour week is, as you said, the equivalent of losing one full-time post, are you seeking to bring in another head?

No—I have planned for it. As I said, I am responsible for securing best value. I knew that we would be doing this, and, in our budget, we have come in under ...

Sue Webber Con

Perhaps more people need to take a look at how you work, commissioner.

The Convener Lab

I think that what you are saying is that redesigning things and increasing efficiency are allowing you to move to the 35-hour week, which effectively means t...

I have mentioned the investigations manual. One of the things that we asked our internal auditors to do—we have internal as well as external auditors—was to ...

The Convener Lab

That is excellent. I call Ruth Maguire.09:30

Ruth Maguire (Cunninghame South) (SNP) SNP

Good morning. I am struck by what you said about expecting stakeholders to have empathy if there was a hold-up. One of the stakeholders will be the elected p...

That varies considerably, depending on the nature and complexity of the complaint. The 21-day period is for initial assessment, and that is for complaints ab...

Ruth Maguire SNP

Is that letter the first contact that they have from you? They do not sit waiting to hear from you.