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

Phil Gallie: Con Chamber

Maternity Units

Irene Oldfather gave some figures that demonstrated that Ayrshire central hospital is offering an excellent service to people in Ayrshire. It is hard to see how those figures could be improved on.I appreciate the trauma that Irene Oldfather faces with the prospect of maternity...

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): Con Chamber

European Union Governance and the Future of Europe

I congratulate the European Committee on compiling the report, which took six months' hard work. The report has much content and is worth reading, but I suspect that few people will read it with the attention that it deserves.As Irene Oldfather said, the report is intended to ...

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): Con Chamber

Future of Europe Convention

The debate has been interesting to say the least. John Home Robertson and several other members, including Irene Oldfather, Colin Campbell and Sarah Boyack, mentioned the peace benefits as the reason for bringing Europeans together. However, none of them seemed to remember tha...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Like Alasdair Morrison, I do not necessarily believe that this would be the right place to investigate the implications of the euro at this stage. However, I would like to know how much time and effort the Scottish Executive is putting into preparations for the euro. I am awar...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Scottish Executive Priorities (Dutch Presidency)<br />Scottish Executive European Strategy

On European control or otherwise, Irene Oldfather reiterated the point that the timescale for consultation between the European Commission, the UK Government and the Scottish Parliament is totally unrealistic, yet one of the major planks of the Executive's strategy for accepti...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Regional Development Funding Inquiry

It is not round two this time. What I said was slightly tongue in cheek, although the comments that I made previously and to which I referred were serious. I fully appreciate what Irene Oldfather said, but at the same time the paper that we considered showed that the UK Govern...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

I do not disagree with Irene Oldfather's comments about structural funds, which are important. The paper on the work programme and the information that we were given in Brussels last week indicate that there are other important issues. As we heard recently, the Lisbon strategy...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Current Petitions

I want to clarify this. I mentioned that the case was in Irene Oldfather's constituency, but I did not refer to Irene Oldfather herself—that is a totally different case.

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): Con Chamber

Proof-of-age Cards (Ayrshire)

Few in this chamber and, I hope, few across the country, will recognise me as anything other than a Scottish Conservative MSP. However, I am here today to praise South Ayrshire Council, which is, strangely enough, Labour controlled—although only just, as Labour has 17 members ...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

I go along in part with Irene Oldfather's comments. I am grateful to the minister for at long last replying in as full a way as he could. Irene referred to the position of the UK Government. That is precisely what the minister has laid out. I do not necessarily agree with his ...

Phil Gallie (Oldest Committee Member): Con Committee

Scottish Parliament<br />European and External Relations Committee<br />Wednesday 11 June 2003<br />(Morning)

I welcome everyone to the first meeting of the European and External Relations Committee in the second session of the Scottish Parliament. Because of my age, I am in the chair this morning. It comes as a great surprise to me to find out that I am older than Dennis Canavan, who...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Is Irene Oldfather suggesting that there will not be a second meeting of the committee before the recess?

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): Con Committee

Food Supplements and Traditional Herbal Medicines

I am glad that Irene Oldfather finds the Executive's comments positive; I find them fairly negative, in that the minister seems to give up on expecting any change to be made in the immediate future. It seems that we are being asked to endorse a European directive that acts aga...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Convener's Report

I did not pick up all Irene Oldfather's comments. I apologise for that. The fact is that there is a proposal in the Italian presidency's statement of intent. We know that the jewellery industry has grave concerns. I am happy that we try to find out what the proposal is. We sho...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

European Parliament Elections 2004

I am not being light-hearted but, given that Irene Oldfather mentioned fairness, I have to say that we are talking about European elections.On a serious note, I want to return to something that Bill Miller said. He said that one of the Electoral Commission's objectives was to ...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

European Parliament Elections 2004

Irene Oldfather got to the nub of the issue: the cost. You said that the promotion of the European Parliament election will cost several million pounds; what was the cost of, and how much did you have for, the elections in May this year?

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

European Parliament Elections 2004

I put my views on record only because, unusually, I agree with Irene Oldfather.

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

European Parliament Elections 2004

It may be worth registering the fact that before the establishment of the Scottish Parliament special recognition was given in the UK Parliament to the issues that Irene Oldfather mentioned. I do not see why the same considerations should not be carried over to the argument ab...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

European Parliament Elections 2004

Irene Oldfather has put me in a slightly difficult position. Once again, we are tinkering with the electoral system to make up for our—politicians'—inadequacies. In the past we achieved high turnouts, which have gradually diminished as faith in politicians has dropped off. I h...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Scottish Executive (Scrutiny)

I agree with Irene Oldfather's points on the aerospace industry, and with you, convener, on the point about road vehicles. The briefing emphasises how much intrusion there is from Europe into the Scottish and UK way of life, in the most unexpected ways.I highlight points 4 and...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Scottish Executive (Scrutiny)

The situation might have budgetary effects in Scotland in the longer term, which is the element about which I am concerned. If Irene Oldfather is not concerned about Scottish budgets and resources for Scotland, that is up to her.

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Convener's Report

In light of Irene Oldfather's comment about enthusiastic MSPs, I want to put on record that I was one of them.

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Can I make a point about what Irene Oldfather said?

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Regional Development Funding Inquiry

I do not think that I admitted to anything. However, if Irene Oldfather wants to have a political debate, that is another matter. I would rather hear from our experts.

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Scottish Executive European Strategy

Thanks. I thought that, as Minister for Finance and Public Services, you would be able to grasp that issue. I want to pick up also on your earlier reference to the Lisbon agreement. The strategy document rightly refers to the importance of economic growth and to Scotland's pos...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Scottish Executive Priorities (Dutch Presidency)<br />Scottish Executive European Strategy

Irene Oldfather referred to the majority report on structural funding that the committee prepared. On the Executive's stand, comment is made on structural funding in its strategy. Is the minister prepared to ignore this committee's majority report—a step I would applaud—and su...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Convener's Report

I raised the matter and I am grateful to Irene Oldfather for writing to the Commission about it. The response is illuminating. Apparently, the term "political project" should never have been used. That was the fault of the translators, who perhaps should have used the term "po...

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): Con Committee

G8 and Council of the European Union Presidencies Inquiry

I apologise for my late arrival and thank our witnesses for their submissions, which I have read.In her response to Irene Oldfather, Sue Fisher suggested that we should be much closer to the 0.7 per cent target than we are. That indicates that there should be a change to the U...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

G8 and Council of the European Union Presidencies Inquiry

I should say that I am not surprised.I want to move on and pick up on what has been said about the CAP. You have homed in on cereals, but you have not done any calculations for tobacco, which is a shame, as I think that we would all appreciate those and would all like to see c...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Pre and Post-council Scrutiny

How could Irene Oldfather reach that conclusion from a perfectly honest question?

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

G8 and Council of the European Union Presidencies Inquiry

I go along with that in some respects. Irene Oldfather made a couple of good points. I was talking specifically about your comment on the subsidy to the cattle industry in this country. I cannot see how removing the subsidy will benefit people in poorer countries, although I c...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

G8 and Council of the European Union Presidencies Inquiry

In response to Irene Oldfather's first question, you suggested that any input from the Scottish Parliament or Executive has to go through the UK Government. Will the European constitution change that situation, if we sign up to it?

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): Con Committee

Fresh Talent Initiative Inquiry

My point is along the same lines as Irene Oldfather's. I can see a reason for including the Scottish Refugee Council given that we are talking about incomers, but I am not sure why we need the Commission for Racial Equality or Robina Qureshi to be present. Why are we missing o...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Fresh Talent Initiative Inquiry

I will address a slightly different aspect of casual labour. I have problems in and around Ayr with workers coming in from European Union countries and taking low-grade jobs in which people in our country have worked for many years. One site that Irene Oldfather will know is C...

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): Con Committee

European Commission Work Programme 2006

Unlike Irene Oldfather, I see the EU work programme going into new areas, to some degree. It seems to me that in the work programme that you have presented to us today there are no no-go areas for the EU in relation to national interests—much more so than in the past. Is the C...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

European Commission Work Programme 2006

Let us have a debate as early as possible. I back Irene Oldfather's suggestion.

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Plan D for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate

I accept what you say, and I make just one point in response. In reference to the constitution, you said that the name of something can be quite misleading, but it was not the constitution's name that was the problem. For me, the contents of the constitution were what was diff...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Plan D for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate

If we were to go down the road that Dennis Canavan suggests, we would want to listen, not inject the views of either side. I would like it to be a kind of open forum that does not include people from the Commission or elected representatives. It should be for individuals to co...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Plan D for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate

I go along with Irene Oldfather, because we might need to move into other areas. If I wanted to get a feel for what people thought, I would use the national media to advertise the fact that we are looking for opinions on Europe. The public could be given guidelines and a quest...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Pre and Post-council Scrutiny

I was hoping that Irene Oldfather would offer her views. I am sure that she feels strongly about the matter.

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Convener's Report

I have a quick comment. Irene Oldfather used the words:"Although the European constitution has gone".However, the final sentence in the letter from the House of Lords is about the debate on the future of Europe. It says:"This would in turn facilitate further decisions on the f...

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): Con Committee

European Commission Work Programme 2006

It was just Irene Oldfather.

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Pre and Post-council Scrutiny

Yes. I note on page 4 of the document that aviation emissions were to be discussed. That is the kind of thing that we should examine carefully. Today, Executive ministers are announcing new flights from Edinburgh to Poland. Irene Oldfather and I have a particular interest in R...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Pre and Post-council Scrutiny

Irene Oldfather is probably even more concerned than I am about this, but my understanding is that the European Parliament has voted to continue the tobacco subsidies in Italy, Spain and Greece. Given that the Scottish Parliament voted to stop people smoking, it seems strange ...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

I believe that members have had a constructive debate that has served a purpose. However, the one exception to that has been John Home Robertson, who is a friend in some ways, but who always uses the word "silly" with respect to any suggestion on European issues with which he ...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

My proposal is the same as Richard Lochhead's but it takes on board Irene Oldfather's comments. We should ask the UK minister to come and to address articles 32 to 38 of the Treaty establishing the European Community in particular. I am sure that the Cod Crusaders would also b...

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): Con Committee

I acknowledge Irene Oldfather's gracious remarks about acceptance of the verdict. Perhaps that is dependent on contacts that have been made with those with whom the committee wished to make contact. I passed to the clerks an e-mail that was sent by Barbara Strathern of the Sco...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Scottish Parliament<br />European and External Relations Committee<br />Tuesday 9 May 2006

We can ask no more than that. I thank the convener and Irene Oldfather.

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Scottish Executive International Development Policy

It is unfortunate that Irene Oldfather has left the meeting, because when we discuss issues that deserve consensus, consensus breaks out in the committee. The issue is one on which we all feel strongly and have similar feelings. The minister and the Executive have got the invo...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Convener's Report

I am surprised that the Executive will not respond to the inquiry. In effect, Westminster is our voice on European issues and the inquiry is an important investigation. Irene Oldfather acknowledged that the House of Lords produces many interesting reports. It is a shame that t...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Convener's Report

I will add to what Bruce Crawford said. Another important element is the Scottish Executive's fresh talent initiative. Without a doubt, resources are liable to come from places such as Romania and Bulgaria. There are many clever people there who have a lot of knowledge and tec...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

European Commission Growth and Jobs Strategy Inquiry

On Irene Oldfather's suggestion about inviting representatives of the European Commission, it is the Commission's strategy that we are looking into. If we are going to invite Commission representatives to give oral evidence, can we ensure that we do not invite them to come rig...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

I will give way to Irene Oldfather.

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

European Maritime Policy

I like the idea—although, when I saw Irene Oldfather nodding her head, I was not so sure—and I think that it is a good paper. I have no problem with the suggestion.

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Transposition and Implementation of European Directives Inquiry

What I will say is more or less along the lines of what Irene Oldfather said and concerns paragraph 13 of the summary of written evidence and the first comment about where you will go from here. I congratulate you again; I recognise that you have a massive task, to which you h...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Transposition and Implementation of European Directives Inquiry

I will back up what Irene Oldfather said. You selected Dublin and Copenhagen for visits because they are in countries in which you are interested. A couple of years ago, the committee received a paper on the transposition and implementation of directives, from which I remember...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

European Commission Work Programme 2006

I go along with what Irene Oldfather has said, but I would like to change the subject.

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

European Commission Work Programme 2006

The directive on the internal market for postal services gives someone who is sceptical about Europe cause for scepticism.It appears that the UK has complied entirely with the objectives for the internal market for postal services, but that others have not—and that the Commiss...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Pre and Post-council Scrutiny

I will make a couple of easy points. First, on employment and social policy, the paper mentions the proposed regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European globalisation adjustment fund. Page 6 states that"There are no peculiarly Scottish as...

Phil Gallie: Con Committee

Pre and Post-council Scrutiny

With the greatest respect to Irene Oldfather, she talked in that meeting about the relative sizes of businesses in the UK and in eastern Europe, which is significant. The disadvantages of what has been proposed have been pointed out.

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Chamber

Plenary, 27 Apr 2000

27 Apr 2000 · S1 · Plenary

Item of business

Maternity Units

Gallie, Phil Con South of Scotland Watch on SPTV

Irene Oldfather gave some figures that demonstrated that Ayrshire central hospital is offering an excellent service to people in Ayrshire. It is hard to see how those figures could be improved on.

I appreciate the trauma that Irene Oldfather faces with the prospect of maternity services moving away from her constituency to Kilmarnock. Just before I was elected as member of Parliament for Ayr, we had the same trauma in Ayr itself when Thornyflats hospital closed down and the facilities moved to Ayrshire central hospital.

I have some personal experience, although perhaps not quite as much as Margaret Jamieson and others. My granddaughter was born in Ayrshire central hospital. My daughter is a nurse, and she thought that the facilities were absolutely excellent. She had every confidence in the facilities offered. That counts for a lot. We are talking about something that is essential for the Ayrshire community.

There is another aspect that we must consider. If we are going to change the facilities and the location, the cost has to be examined. There will be additional costs in moving to Crosshouse hospital. It is claimed that there will be additional benefits. However, in the health service, every penny spent has to be carefully prioritised. Irene Oldfather referred to consultation, and I wonder whether that consultation has considered whether the additional costs of moving can be justified in relation to other health service facilities.

I sympathise with Cathy Jamieson and the points that she made about people in Ballantrae. I am sure that most of them are reasonably confident and happy with the services at Ayrshire central hospital.

In the same item of business

The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel): NPA

The final item of business today is a members' business debate on motion S1M-718, in the name of Irene Oldfather, on the relocation of maternity units. I app...

Motion debated,

That the Parliament notes the proposed relocation of maternity wards throughout Scotland, including the Ayrshire Central Maternity Unit, Irvine; further note...

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): Lab

I thank those who have supported this motion, enabling the debate to take place today, albeit it is somewhat overshadowed by the other events of the afternoo...

Allan Wilson (Cunninghame North) (Lab): Lab

I thank Irene Oldfather for giving us the opportunity to discuss this issue and I associate myself with her comments.Irene is the member for Cunninghame Sout...

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): Lab

I thank Allan Wilson for the geography lesson. Does he agree that some of the transport difficulties faced by my constituents who have to travel from as far ...

Allan Wilson: Lab

I have no problem associating myself with those comments.I speak as the constituency representative for Cunninghame North. My sons were born in Paisley, a de...

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): SNP

I thank Irene Oldfather for raising this subject for debate today. However, I believe that Ayrshire and Arran Health Board is to be congratulated on the comp...

Allan Wilson: Lab

If the member sympathises with Irene Oldfather's remarks about the lack of consultation, would he support an extended consultation based on the option apprai...

Mr Ingram: SNP

No, I would not. When elected a year ago, I raised the issue of maternity services in Ayrshire and was given a comprehensive briefing on the matter. I believ...

Irene Oldfather: Lab

The statistics that I have outlined in relation to Ayrshire central hospital show that the quality of care there is the best in Scotland.

Mr Ingram: SNP

I agree that the service in Ayrshire has been very fine. However, we need to move on, to modernise and to progress.

Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab): Lab

I had my daughter some 18 years ago in Ayrshire central hospital. Does the member agree that the relocation of the service must be safe? I do not want my dau...

Mr Ingram: SNP

The fact that there will be a move to a district general hospital site means that there will be a 24-hour laboratory facility. There will also be an intensiv...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid): SNP

My problem with timing is that the last speaker is dropping out.

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): Con

There is a danger of getting into a Kilmarnock-Irvine-Ayrshire argument about localities.

Margaret Jamieson rose— Lab

Irene Oldfather: Lab

On a point of order. If there is only one additional speaker, I wonder whether the Presiding Officer would consider extending the debate for a further few mi...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP

I will be as generous as possible. As things stand, if Mr Russell takes about two minutes, we will just about manage.

Phil Gallie: Con

Irene Oldfather gave some figures that demonstrated that Ayrshire central hospital is offering an excellent service to people in Ayrshire. It is hard to see ...

Cathy Jamieson rose— Lab

Phil Gallie: Con

I cannot give way, because my time is up. My thanks to Irene Oldfather for letting me speak in her debate.

Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): Lab

I am aware of the time constraints, and I will rush through this. I feel as if I am intruding on an Ayrshire fight.I appreciate the opportunity to speak in t...

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): Lab

Will the member give way?

Mr McNeil: Lab

No, I will not. Sorry, pal, but it is not on.We cannot move people around while that type of cloak and dagger operation is going on.I will cut to the chase. ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP

If Michael Russell takes two minutes, that will leave one minute for Mary Scanlon and three bullet points.

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): SNP

I congratulate Irene Oldfather on having the motion selected. The fact that I had a motion on the topic—she signed my motion and I signed her motion—and that...

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): Con

I am grateful for my one minute. As a Highlands and Islands MSP, I am not in a position to comment on where services should be situated in Ayrshire. Many of ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP

I should say to Irene Oldfather that I know the debate has been tight but I have no discretion. The Presiding Officer has made it clear that he will only exc...

The Minister for Health and Community Care (Susan Deacon): Lab

I am delighted to get the chance to talk about maternity services. I will attempt to focus on that, although it is tempting to respond to a number of the poi...