Motion
Fixing Scotland's Ferry Fiasco
S6M-20957 · Motion For Debate · lodged by Greene, Jamie
Lodged on
02 Mar 2026Heard / answered on
04 Mar 2026Watch the chamber session on SPTV · lands on the meetings recorded on 04 Mar 2026
That the Parliament believes that many of Scotland’s island and coastal communities have been let down by the Scottish Government and have paid the price for the failure of the Scottish Ministers to provide them with the lifeline ferries they need; recognises that this has had an impact on businesses, livelihoods and local economies; notes that whilst the Scottish Government extended the Islands Business Resilience Fund, there are many impacted coastal communities, such as Dunoon and Ardrossan, where local businesses are not receiving compensation and calls on the Scottish Government to rectify this; notes with frustration that the delivery of the MV Glen Rosa has been delayed by another six months until late 2026 and that the MV Glen Sannox required months of repairs; believes that taxpayers, islanders and workers at Ferguson Marine have all been let down over this ongoing fiasco and expresses deep disappointment that no minister has ever taken responsibility by resigning, and further believes that Scotland’s island and coastal communities deserve better and that new requirements to replace ageing vessels are needed alongside a rolling 30-year strategy for ferries and port infrastructure so that no community is ever left without a viable lifeline service.
Lodged by
Greene, Jamie
alone — no additional MSPs have signed on.
Final vote on motion (as amended)
04 Mar 2026
Carried
Show MSPs
For
85Against
33Abstain
1Not voted
10Amendments incorporated
- S6M-20957.3 Hyslop, Fiona — carried 66/53: As an amendment to motion S6M-20957 in the name of Jamie Greene (Fixing Scotland's Ferry Fiasco), leave out from first “believes” to end and insert “recognises the challenges that island communities have faced with disruptions and the need to give them reliable and resilient services; supports the announcements made by the Scottish Government on 3 March 2026 of the conclusion of the purchase of Ardrossan Harbour, the proposal to directly award two vessels for the Small Vessel Replacement Programme to Ferguson Marine, the competitive tender for the replacement for the MV Lord of the Isles, funding for the Port Ellen redevelopment on Islay, and that peak fares for islanders on NorthLink ferry services will be removed on 24 March 2026; notes that, with 11 vessels currently being built and with the recent arrival of MV Isle of Islay, one third of the entire CalMac fleet is being replaced, and further notes that the Island Connectivity Plan Vessels and Ports Plan sets out a long-term investment programme to 2045, and that community needs assessments, with community engagement at their heart, will shape these investments in ferries and ports for decades to come.”
Computer-generated best guess
Possible final motion text after carried amendments
This is a computer’s best guess at applying carried amendments to the original motion text. It uses simple text rules for phrases such as “insert at end”, “after X insert Y”, and “leave out from X to end and insert Y”. Treat it as an aid, not the official motion text.
That the Parliament recognises the challenges that island communities have faced with disruptions and the need to give them reliable and resilient services; supports the announcements made by the Scottish Government on 3 March 2026 of the conclusion of the purchase of Ardrossan Harbour, the proposal to directly award two vessels for the Small Vessel Replacement Programme to Ferguson Marine, the competitive tender for the replacement for the MV Lord of the Isles, funding for the Port Ellen redevelopment on Islay, and that peak fares for islanders on NorthLink ferry services will be removed on 24 March 2026; notes that, with 11 vessels currently being built and with the recent arrival of MV Isle of Islay, one third of the entire CalMac fleet is being replaced, and further notes that the Island Connectivity Plan Vessels and Ports Plan sets out a long-term investment programme to 2045, and that community needs assessments, with community engagement at their heart, will shape these investments in ferries and ports for decades to come.
Applied by the parser
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S6M-20957.3: leave out from "believes" to end and insert As an amendment to motion S6M-20957 in the name of Jamie Greene (Fixing Scotland's Ferry Fiasco), leave out from first “believes” to end and insert “recognises the challenges that island communities have faced with disruptions and the need to give them reliable and resilient services; supports the announcements made by the Scottish Government on 3 March 2026 of the conclusion of the purchase of Ardrossan Harbour, the proposal to directly award two vessels for the Small Vessel Replacement Programme to Ferguson Marine, the competitive tender for the replacement for the MV Lord of the Isles, funding for the Port Ellen redevelopment on Islay, and that peak fares for islanders on NorthLink ferry services will be removed on 24 March 2026; notes that, with 11 vessels currently being built and with the recent arrival of MV Isle of Islay, one third of the entire CalMac fleet is being replaced, and further notes that the Island Connectivity Plan Vessels and Ports Plan sets out a long-term investment programme to 2045, and that community needs assessments, with community engagement at their heart, will shape these investments in ferries and ports for decades to come.”
In the Official Report
Debated in chamber — 6 contributions reference this
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The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
Chamber
· 04 Mar 2026 · Meeting of the Parliament 04 March 2026 [Draft]
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-20957, in the name of Jamie Greene, on fixing Scotland’s ferries fiasco.15:57
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The Presiding Officer
NPA
Chamber
· 04 Mar 2026 · Meeting of the Parliament 04 March 2026 [Draft]
The next question is, that amendment S6M-20957.3, in the name of Fiona Hyslop, which seeks to amend motion S6M-20957, in the name of Jamie Greene, on fixing Scotland’s ferry fiasco, be agreed to. Are…
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The Presiding Officer
NPA
Chamber
· 04 Mar 2026 · Meeting of the Parliament 04 March 2026 [Draft]
The next question is, that amendment S6M-20957.2, in the name of Sue Webber, which seeks to amend motion S6M-20957, in the name of Jamie Greene, on fixing Scotland’s ferry fiasco, be agreed to. Are w…
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The Presiding Officer
NPA
Chamber
· 04 Mar 2026 · Meeting of the Parliament 04 March 2026 [Draft]
The next question is, that amendment S6M-20957.1, in the name of Rhoda Grant, which seeks to amend motion S6M-20957, in the name of Jamie Greene, on fixing Scotland’s ferry fiasco, be agreed to. Are …
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The Presiding Officer
NPA
Chamber
· 04 Mar 2026 · Meeting of the Parliament 04 March 2026 [Draft]
The next question is, that motion S6M-20957, in the name of Jamie Greene, as amended, on fixing Scotland’s ferry fiasco, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.
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The Presiding Officer
NPA
Chamber
· 04 Mar 2026 · Meeting of the Parliament 04 March 2026 [Draft]
The result of the division on motion S6M-20957, in the name of Jamie Greene, as amended, on fixing Scotland’s ferry fiasco, is: For 85, Against 33, Abstentions 1.Motion, as amended, agreed to,That th…
Amendments and how the chamber decided
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S6M-20957Selected itemCarried 85/3302 Mar 2026 · Motion For Debate · Greene, JamieThat the Parliament believes that many of Scotland’s island and coastal communities have been let down by the Scottish Government and have paid the price for the failure of the Scottish Ministers to provide them with the lifeline ferries they need; recognises that this has had an impact on businesses, livelihoods and local e...
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S6M-20957.1Linked amendment/itemDefeated 53/6603 Mar 2026 · Amendment · Grant, RhodaAs an amendment to motion S6M-20957 in the name of Jamie Greene (Fixing Scotland's Ferry Fiasco), insert at end “; notes that disruption to ferry timetables is ongoing and continues to impact island communities; agrees that communities must receive support to deal with the economic and social impacts of disruption; calls for local representation fer...
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S6M-20957.2Linked amendment/itemDefeated 52/6603 Mar 2026 · Amendment · Webber, SueAs an amendment to motion S6M-20957 in the name of Jamie Greene (Fixing Scotland’s Ferry Fiasco), insert at end “; notes that the combined costs of the MV Glen Sannox and MV Glen Rosa has reached almost £500 million; acknowledges the Scottish Government’s announcements of four direct awards to Ferguson Marine, a programme to upgrad...
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S6M-20957.3Linked amendment/itemCarried 66/5303 Mar 2026 · Amendment · Hyslop, FionaAs an amendment to motion S6M-20957 in the name of Jamie Greene (Fixing Scotland's Ferry Fiasco), leave out from first “believes” to end and insert “recognises the challenges that island communities have faced with disruptions and the need to give them reliable and resilient services; supports the announcements made by the Scottish Gover...