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That is helpful. Thank you, minister.

Minister, is there any risk in amending the bill to give the Lord President additional powers? For example, the proposal to amend section 29 would give the Lord President the sole right to consider

“applications by bodies wishing to enter the legal services sector as new regulators”.

Is there a risk that the Lord President might be either too conservative or too slow in deciding which bodies could become new regulators?

Do you think that the proposed transfer of certain functions to the Lord President alters the general principles of the bill?

Members of the judiciary have raised concerns that transferring functions to the Lord President risks politicising his role. Others have said that transferring functions might mean that consumer groups will not have enough say. What is your position on that?

That needs to come under part of another feasibility study. We need to start thinking outside the box and looking more towards rail. If the member meets CNER—I hope that he has done—and talks to the group about its future plans, he will know that we are talking about getting cars off the road and decarbonising. If we look towards electric rail for the future, that would be the best investment to make.

I am looking forward to the feasibility study that is due in spring 2024. It is eagerly anticipated, and I hope that it will play a crucial role in shaping our transport landscape.

The need for an integrated approach in transport that involves all modes, from ferries to rail, and that deeply engages with local communities cannot be overstated. The motion before us is about not just building tunnels or enhancing ferry services, but building a more connected, sustainable and inclusive Scotland. I know that our current Minister for Transport is dedicated to creating that Scotland, and I thank her for her communications and outreach with local projects in my constituency that I have raised with her.

As we consider the recommendations of the strategic transport projects review 2 as well as the aspirations of Shetland’s grass-roots tunnel action groups and initiatives such as the Campaign for North East Rail, we should remember that at the heart of those projects are the people whom they serve. Let us commit to a future in which every decision that is made is a step towards a safer, more prosperous and more connected Scotland for all.

It is a privilege to talk on this subject. It is no secret to the Parliament that campaigning for human rights is a deep passion of mine, mostly because of the experiences that I have had throughout my life and the experiences of those I love. To be honest, I have to pinch myself some days in the knowledge that I have the privilege of being a member of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, which is a role that I deeply appreciate having.

I whole-heartedly support the motion and, in particular, I recognise the importance of understanding the dire consequences that the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis have had and continue to have on human rights for all of us. The impact is exceptionally significant on those who are living with disabilities.

The reopening of the independent living fund, along with the commitment to develop and implement an immediate priorities plan for disabled people, marks a significant step forward. It is heartening to see the Scottish Government taking concrete actions to address the pressing issues, which reinforces our ambition to lead the world in human rights realisation.

People with disabilities face not just financial but societal challenges, which affect access to public services, general mobility and connectivity, community cohesion and—consequently—the basic human interactions that we need for our health and wellbeing. Without adequate support, dealing with that challenge can leave a person feeling isolated and abandoned in a world in which they should feel that they belong.

One aspect of the motion that resonates in particular with me is the acknowledgement of the need for social and cultural rights for people with disabilities. As members know, my father is deaf. That has shaped my understanding of what aspects are needed for a whole-person approach to disabilities. I was raised alongside deaf children and CODAs—children of deaf adults. I have to agree with the comments of my colleague Kate Forbes on dignity and having less patronising attitudes. Being an interpreter for my father over the years has been enlightening—but not in a good way, as we have been faced with ignorance from many parts of society.

I was surrounded by a visually vibrant and expressive community. I will paint a picture of the deaf club in Aberdeen. The incredible building in which it was held was a place of drama clubs and sports clubs, with shelves of trophies and pictures of successes adorning the walls. There was an integrated church and a large kitchen that was used regularly for events. There were snooker tables and bowling mats, and a stage in a hall where signing musical shows and comedy shows were held and performed by deaf people and hearing people alike. Deaf people from all over the UK would come to visit and participate in events. I particularly loved meeting deaf Santa there one year as a wee girl.

The club was a haven for deaf people where they were not just supported; they were given the tools to support themselves—and they ran with it. It was a thriving community with a beautiful language. Sadly, the club had to close its doors over a decade ago. I hope that we can realise the importance of such community spaces. Inclusion in the wider world is important, but ensuring that there are safe spaces in which communities can gather and organise is equally important.

The beautiful language that I speak of—British Sign Language—was one that my dad would be physically punished for using when he was a wee boy in the 1950s. He was forced to conform to the idealised version of an able-bodied person. His parents and peers supported him to learn BSL, and watched him thrive. He was often one of the funniest actors in the comedy shows—according to me.

I often think of what it must have been like for my wee dad back in the 1950s. In my interactions with deaf charities and stakeholders, the conversation often revolves around the need for early and effective support for deaf children. Ensuring that those children have access to the necessary language and communication skills is crucial for their development and future success. That aligns with the broader goal of disability equality, whereby equal opportunities are provided to all children, regardless of their abilities.

Today’s motion, with its emphasis on equality of opportunity and the inclusion of social and cultural rights, is a step towards bridging the gap between the disabled and the able bodied. By incorporating international human rights conventions into Scots law, particularly those recognising sign languages and deaf culture, we are making our society more inclusive and richer.

As we move forward, it is crucial that we continue to engage with and listen to the disabled community. Its insights and expertise are invaluable in shaping policies that truly address its needs and aspirations. That approach ensures that our efforts are not just top down but are informed by those who are directly impacted by our decisions.

Enshrining those rights will not only make our society and culture more accessible; the inclusion of deaf people and people with experiences that are different from our own and which we can learn from and appreciate will make our society and culture altogether richer. I am sure that all of us in the chamber have a keen desire to be part of the solutions for improving the lives of disabled folk in Scotland. That is certainly one of my core inspirations for being here.

I am proud to support the motion and the principles that it sets out. By celebrating disability equality and human rights, we are not just complying with international standards; we are working towards a society in which every individual is valued, respected and given the opportunity to thrive. The motion is a testament to our commitment to creating a Scotland that is inclusive, just and equitable for all. Most important of all, realising those rights will help to deliver dignity for all those who live with disabilities in Scotland. After all, my childhood was not impaired by having a deaf father; it was enriched. I hope that others across Scotland and beyond can feel that enrichment, too.

First, I thank Beatrice Wishart and congratulate her on bringing the debate to the chamber. I know that she has a deep commitment to serving her island constituents.

I am grateful to speak on a matter of vital importance to Scotland, in particular for rural and coastal communities such as those that I represent in Banffshire and Buchan Coast. Although—I admit—we are not an island, there are threads of the same theme of connectivity running through. The coastal aspect of rural living adds an extra dimension, which raises issues that must receive proportional attention in Parliament.

Although we are here to acknowledge the significance of connectivity in Scotland’s rural and island areas, I also acknowledge the Parliament’s commitment to Scotland’s net zero targets, as it is essential that our actions align with those environmental aspirations.

The essence of my address today is the importance of local decision-making in infrastructure projects. Our rural and coastal communities, each with a unique set of needs and challenges, must have a say in the projects that directly impact their lives. Whether that involves implementing fixed links such as tunnels or enhancing other transport services, the voice of the local community is paramount. When local communities are at the forefront of such decisions, it not only ensures that the solutions are tailored to their needs, but instils a sense of ownership and commitment to the success of the projects.

Safety and economic vitality are at the heart of our concerns. Connectivity is not just a matter of convenience—it is a lifeline that supports local economies and tourism and ensures the safety of our residents.

In that context, I highlight the exemplary work—which I take any chance to plug—of the Campaign for North East Rail. As an ardent supporter of CNER, I have raised its work in the chamber previously, and I met the former Minister for Transport, Jenny Gilruth, to discuss the transformative impact of re-railing the north-east.

The Scottish Government’s allocation of funds from the just transition fund for CNER’s feasibility study marks a significant step forward. It awarded CNER £0.25 million pounds from the fund, and the feasibility study has made great leaps forward in the past few months, with the appointment of world-leading consultancy firms AECOM and Stantec to explore the possibility of passenger and freight services running north of Dyce and onwards to Peterhead and Fraserburgh for the first time in more than half a century.

My office’s recent conversation with Jordan Jack, the general secretary of CNER, highlighted the campaign’s focus on collaboration with local interest groups. That approach, which aligns with the former transport secretary’s advice, ensures that our efforts in improving transport infrastructure are inclusive and community driven.

The climate credentials of the United Kingdom Government are in absolute tatters, and the only thing that the Labour Government-in-waiting seems capable of is flip-flopping and U-turns. How can Scotland work with the international community at COP28 to effect a positive outcome and show the world that our views and ambitions for the future of the planet are not represented by Westminster?

As the recent “Building a New Scotland” paper on migration demonstrates, the only realistic way to ensure that refugees and asylum seekers receive the support that they need from the day of their arrival is to have the full powers of an independent state. How transformational does the minister believe it would it be for asylum seekers to be granted the right to work in an independent Scotland?

Absolutely. That is why I took the time to meet the British Pest Control Association, away from the committee, to get absolute clarity on that. There are alternatives. They may cost a little more, but that is the issue here. We have to look at a way in which we can control pests in such areas that considers animal welfare as well.