Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 21 March 2012
21 Mar 2012 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
European Union (Priorities for 2012)
Before I speak in support of the committee’s report, I congratulate our convener, Christina McKelvie, on arranging equalities training for our committee, which is a first in the Parliament. It is a historic event, and I take this opportunity to thank and congratulate her.
It is right that we are debating the key European issues today, as much of the business of the Scottish Parliament’s committees is affected by decisions that are taken in Brussels. The people of Scotland must know that its Parliament in Edinburgh is looking after their interests and that we are listening to their concerns and adding strength by carrying their message to Brussels. To fulfil that role, we must always ensure that the people of Scotland know what is happening in Brussels and how it affects their lives. We must use all the resources that are at our disposal, including our officials in Brussels, our representatives in the Scottish and United Kingdom Governments and our members of the European Parliament.
I take on board the comments that Patricia Ferguson and Jamie McGrigor made about the timing of the report to the Parliament.
In our role, we must listen carefully to what is going on and consider how things can be developed. Once we know what is going on, it is essential that we get into the right rooms in Brussels—the rooms where the issues are prepared, debated and ultimately decided on. We have the resources at our disposal to do that job.
We have heard from representatives of other committees about their intentions to act, and we heard from Christina McKelvie and Fiona Hyslop about how we intend to take forward our programme. We heard about the common agricultural policy, which has such an influence not just on our farmers but on our countryside and our environment. The common fisheries policy—there is a lot of fishy stuff going on there, by the way—is undergoing much-needed reform, and the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee is working to ensure that the changes are right for Scotland.
Also important to Scotland are the opportunities and challenges that are afforded by developments in the energy sector, be they in the North Sea grid initiative to connect Scotland’s energy generation to Europe or the various proposals in the field of renewable energy. We must develop strong and positive links in that area.
Europe is an essential funding source for Scotland. As has been highlighted, my committee is currently engaged in examining two major funding streams: the structural funds and the horizon 2020 fund for research and innovation. We will report to the Parliament in due course on those funding streams, but it is important to note that they will be vital for Scotland’s recovery.
EU policies on infrastructure for broadband and ferry lines will have a significant impact on the daily lives of the people of Scotland. We will monitor progress on those issues. Jamie McGrigor mentioned the importance of broadband in rural areas. I assure everyone here today that broadband is important for us all, throughout Scotland, because we are competing in the international arena and the speed and reliability of broadband are critically important in that regard. We need to work hard to ensure that we deliver a positive service.
What happens next? This debate is only a beginning. The serious work for many of us has already begun and we have not a moment to lose. We must ensure that Scotland gets its fair share of funding; that its voice is heard and understood in Brussels; that we are able to warn of impending challenges and upcoming opportunities; and that we play our part in building the Europe that we want to live in.
I have noted a reluctance by UK ministers to engage fully with the Scottish Government, which is very unhelpful. We are partners and it is disappointing that that happens in a partnership. Communication between partners is important, but currently it is at best poor and sometimes non-existent. An example of that was the use of the veto by the UK Prime Minister, with no consultation or notification for the Scottish Government. I think that that was outrageous at the very least.
We live in a new world with new challenges, with people demanding higher levels of accountability. The Governments in London and Brussels need to recognise that new reality. We have to learn the lessons that other Governments have failed to learn. When Governments fail to listen to their people, they pay a very heavy price. I hope that we do not have to do that.
I am grateful to the members of our committee. It has been a huge pleasure to serve on the committee, because very valuable and positive work has been done. We have had many presentations from witnesses, who gave us expert advice. However, it is important to recognise that the reluctance to which I referred earlier means that we sometimes undersell ourselves. We cannot afford to do that. My message to the Government is that we need to ensure that we are a strong team, but we can do that only if we talk to each other. The cabinet secretary may wish to comment on that. However, she has already given a very good presentation on the issue.
It is right that we are debating the key European issues today, as much of the business of the Scottish Parliament’s committees is affected by decisions that are taken in Brussels. The people of Scotland must know that its Parliament in Edinburgh is looking after their interests and that we are listening to their concerns and adding strength by carrying their message to Brussels. To fulfil that role, we must always ensure that the people of Scotland know what is happening in Brussels and how it affects their lives. We must use all the resources that are at our disposal, including our officials in Brussels, our representatives in the Scottish and United Kingdom Governments and our members of the European Parliament.
I take on board the comments that Patricia Ferguson and Jamie McGrigor made about the timing of the report to the Parliament.
In our role, we must listen carefully to what is going on and consider how things can be developed. Once we know what is going on, it is essential that we get into the right rooms in Brussels—the rooms where the issues are prepared, debated and ultimately decided on. We have the resources at our disposal to do that job.
We have heard from representatives of other committees about their intentions to act, and we heard from Christina McKelvie and Fiona Hyslop about how we intend to take forward our programme. We heard about the common agricultural policy, which has such an influence not just on our farmers but on our countryside and our environment. The common fisheries policy—there is a lot of fishy stuff going on there, by the way—is undergoing much-needed reform, and the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee is working to ensure that the changes are right for Scotland.
Also important to Scotland are the opportunities and challenges that are afforded by developments in the energy sector, be they in the North Sea grid initiative to connect Scotland’s energy generation to Europe or the various proposals in the field of renewable energy. We must develop strong and positive links in that area.
Europe is an essential funding source for Scotland. As has been highlighted, my committee is currently engaged in examining two major funding streams: the structural funds and the horizon 2020 fund for research and innovation. We will report to the Parliament in due course on those funding streams, but it is important to note that they will be vital for Scotland’s recovery.
EU policies on infrastructure for broadband and ferry lines will have a significant impact on the daily lives of the people of Scotland. We will monitor progress on those issues. Jamie McGrigor mentioned the importance of broadband in rural areas. I assure everyone here today that broadband is important for us all, throughout Scotland, because we are competing in the international arena and the speed and reliability of broadband are critically important in that regard. We need to work hard to ensure that we deliver a positive service.
What happens next? This debate is only a beginning. The serious work for many of us has already begun and we have not a moment to lose. We must ensure that Scotland gets its fair share of funding; that its voice is heard and understood in Brussels; that we are able to warn of impending challenges and upcoming opportunities; and that we play our part in building the Europe that we want to live in.
I have noted a reluctance by UK ministers to engage fully with the Scottish Government, which is very unhelpful. We are partners and it is disappointing that that happens in a partnership. Communication between partners is important, but currently it is at best poor and sometimes non-existent. An example of that was the use of the veto by the UK Prime Minister, with no consultation or notification for the Scottish Government. I think that that was outrageous at the very least.
We live in a new world with new challenges, with people demanding higher levels of accountability. The Governments in London and Brussels need to recognise that new reality. We have to learn the lessons that other Governments have failed to learn. When Governments fail to listen to their people, they pay a very heavy price. I hope that we do not have to do that.
I am grateful to the members of our committee. It has been a huge pleasure to serve on the committee, because very valuable and positive work has been done. We have had many presentations from witnesses, who gave us expert advice. However, it is important to recognise that the reluctance to which I referred earlier means that we sometimes undersell ourselves. We cannot afford to do that. My message to the Government is that we need to ensure that we are a strong team, but we can do that only if we talk to each other. The cabinet secretary may wish to comment on that. However, she has already given a very good presentation on the issue.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-02388, in the name of Christina McKelvie, on European Union priorities for 2012. I call Christina McKelvi...
Christina McKelvie (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP)
SNP
This debate ends the European and External Relations Committee’s consultation on EU priorities for 2012. I put on record my thanks to the clerks and the Scot...
The Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs (Fiona Hyslop)
SNP
The Scottish Government’s ambitions for Scotland align closely with the Europe 2020 strategy of the European Union for smart, sustainable and inclusive growt...
Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (Lab)
Lab
I am pleased to speak in the debate, particularly as I was a member of the European and External Relations Committee for much of the previous session of Parl...
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
Patricia Ferguson has raised that point in the last three European debates. She has been answered satisfactorily by John Swinney and Alex Neil. I hope that s...
Patricia Ferguson
Lab
John Swinney took the trouble to dispute with me that fact, which appears in the paper that the Local Government and Communities Committee submitted to SPICe...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The member must start winding up.
Patricia Ferguson
Lab
However, that also reads across to the work of the Commission, which has identified that“children remain on average more at risk of poverty and social exclus...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I regret that we must move on.15:06
Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
Although I welcome the European and External Relations Committee’s report on the Scottish Parliament’s EU priorities for 2012, this debate can at best be ter...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I remind members that they have a strict four minutes. There is no time for interventions, and members’ microphones will be cut off dead on four minutes. 15:10
Aileen McLeod (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I welcome this afternoon’s debate as a member of the European and External Relations Committee and as a newly appointed EU reporter for the Infrastructure an...
Helen Eadie (Cowdenbeath) (Lab)
Lab
I, too, am pleased to take part in what I agree will be a very consensual debate, and I commend the previous speakers for their contributions. I am sure that...
Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP)
SNP
I will shock no one if I say straight out that Scotland is part of Europe. That is a geological, cultural and political fact; indeed, as a kingdom, Scotland ...
Jim Hume (South Scotland) (LD)
LD
I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in the European and External Relations Committee debate about EU priorities. As Patricia Ferguson was, I was a mem...
Clare Adamson (Central Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
As the newest member of the European and External Relations Committee, I express my thanks for the work that has gone into collating and publishing the commi...
David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome this debate and the recent committee report on EU priorities for 2012. I congratulate the convener and the members of the committee on the quality ...
Roderick Campbell (North East Fife) (SNP)
SNP
As other members have done, I commend the committee for its report. As the Justice Committee’s EU reporter, I am pleased to speak about the Justice Committee...
Jamie McGrigor
Con
This has been a useful and constructive debate and several members have rightly highlighted the significant contribution by other committees that was made to...
Patricia Ferguson
Lab
The debate has been an interesting one that has underlined the importance that the Parliament attaches to the European Union and our work therein. It has bee...
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
The Scottish Government welcomes the Commission’s work programme for 2012, the forward look to 2014 and this debate. They demonstrate the wide range of polic...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott)
Con
I call on Hanzala Malik to wind up on behalf of the European and External Relations Committee.15:51
Hanzala Malik (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
Before I speak in support of the committee’s report, I congratulate our convener, Christina McKelvie, on arranging equalities training for our committee, whi...