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Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 24 November 2024
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Displaying 591 contributions

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Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Continued Petitions

Meeting date: 22 February 2023

Fergus Ewing

Our purpose is not to carry out an investigation. We cannot do that. I feel guilty saying that, but that is just the way it is. We cannot do that.

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Continued Petitions

Meeting date: 22 February 2023

Fergus Ewing

I support the recommendation that Alexander Stewart has just made. I would add that specific reference in the letter to the minister could be made to, and perhaps a copy appended of, Alasdair Allan’s submission, because he makes several very good points about the value of having island residents on boards relating to ferries, transportation and health.

Alasdair Allan goes into a couple of reasons for that, which I will briefly set out. First, he says that organisations are improved by having people who rely on the services rather than outsiders who do not use the services. That is a commonsense point and seems to be a practical example of the benefits of having local residents on the boards rather than—without being pejorative—outsiders.

Secondly, he says:

“Having ... island-based board members would also make for a better flow of ideas from communities at an early stage, rather than consultation taking place after decisions have, essentially, already been made.”

That, too, is a very good point, convener, and one that perhaps we could ask that the minister bear in mind with further future appointments to public bodies.

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Continued Petitions

Meeting date: 22 February 2023

Fergus Ewing

In backing that recommendation, I note that the information that we have been provided with states that there have been sudden cardiac deaths at races where caffeine gum was promoted, although there are no investigations of any potential link. Scottish Athletics and sportscotland have warned of health risks. I mention that because, plainly, if cardiovascular risks are involved and death has occurred, that is a very serious matter. We should get that further evidence in some detail.

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Continued Petitions

Meeting date: 22 February 2023

Fergus Ewing

Thanks for coming today, Stephanie. It must be very hard.

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Continued Petitions

Meeting date: 22 February 2023

Fergus Ewing

You are doing very well. We appreciate that this is, as I think you said, every parent’s nightmare. I think we all feel that very profoundly for you.

It seems to me that you have been very badly let down by people who were supposed to help you. We have not heard from the police, so we have not heard what they have to say, but it feels that way to me.

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Continued Petitions

Meeting date: 22 February 2023

Fergus Ewing

Yes. I think we heard that Mr O’Kane was very helpful to you.

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Continued Petitions

Meeting date: 22 February 2023

Fergus Ewing

I am not in the same party but that does not really matter. We can imagine that he would have done that.

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Continued Petitions

Meeting date: 22 February 2023

Fergus Ewing

This next question might be too difficult for you to answer.

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Continued Petitions

Meeting date: 22 February 2023

Fergus Ewing

And there was no apparent desire to communicate either.

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Continued Petitions

Meeting date: 22 February 2023

Fergus Ewing

That was very good that he did that.