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Seòmar agus comataidhean

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 23 November 2024
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Displaying 732 contributions

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Health, Social Care and Sport Committee

Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 19 March 2024

Ruth Maguire

When we make laws, we do so on points of principle, and the same Government will not always be in charge. On a point of principle, are you comfortable with that level of ministerial power to curb protest?

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee

Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 19 March 2024

Ruth Maguire

On ministerial powers and the extension of zones, we have focused quite a lot on big city centre locations rather than on big premises, but the picture is quite diverse across the country. Extending zones could take in quite large bits or further bits of the community. If a zone was not just within healthcare premises, would there be a need to consult again, given that this is about balancing rights?

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee

Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 19 March 2024

Ruth Maguire

I am okay, convener. I will come back in later.

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee

Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 19 March 2024

Ruth Maguire

Do you agree that, in relation to proportionality when we are talking about rights, post-legislative scrutiny—there is that phrase again—is an important tool to give everyone that comfort?

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee

Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 19 March 2024

Ruth Maguire

This is all very fascinating. The difficulty of the signage issue is intent and how things are received. Protesters or people who are taking part in vigils would think that they do not have malign intent. The same is true of church signage, on which messages can be stark. They are not always welcoming messages from scripture. How have you worked through those difficulties?

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee

Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 19 March 2024

Ruth Maguire

Section 11 of the bill enables the Scottish Government to issue guidance to operators of abortion services. What do you expect that guidance to cover?

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee

Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 19 March 2024

Ruth Maguire

Would you acknowledge that it might be more distressing to walk past a group of men holding placards, even if those placards were about fair pay or working conditions, than it might be to walk past a couple of individuals who are praying silently?

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee

Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 19 March 2024

Ruth Maguire

Yes—I would not diminish any of that; we absolutely heard that. As we are creating law, what I am trying to get to is whether it is possible, in law, to protect citizens from silent judgment.

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Additional Support for Learning Inquiry

Meeting date: 13 March 2024

Ruth Maguire

That would be helpful.

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Additional Support for Learning Inquiry

Meeting date: 13 March 2024

Ruth Maguire

Vivienne Sutherland, in response to one of my colleagues—I cannot remember who it was, as it was a while ago—you spoke about the desire to move from crisis to prevention. You were talking about the post-pandemic period, in particular, but I think that that has been a theme for our public services in Scotland for quite a long time. Can you say a bit more about what needs to happen to create the space to do that?