Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has this Tuesday led a parliamentary debate on the persecution of the Baha’i religious community in Iran. Mr Carmichael highlighted during the debate a range of recent concerns about the treatment of members of the religion in Iran in recent months, and called on the government to take further action to challenge human rights abuses in Iran.
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today backed calls for a general election following further turmoil in the Conservative government with the sacking of the Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng.
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, yesterday led a parliamentary debate on post-Brexit fisheries, highlighting a range of issues facing the fishing industry in recent years. During the debate Mr Carmichael noted the ongoing challenge of deckhand visas for vessels, along with inaction on gillnetting in the waters around Shetland by Scottish authorities, and the need for reforms to scientific advice on both spatial squeeze of fishing grounds and overall quota.
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, will today [Thursday] challenge ministers to offer a clear roadmap on making a workable visa scheme for skilled deckhands, as he leads a parliamentary debate on post-Brexit fisheries. In the debate Mr Carmichael will highlight a range of challenges facing the fishing industry including quota, the unsustainable practice of gillnetting and the current cost-of-living crisis.
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has welcomed the announcement today that the Scottish Government’s proposed “Islands Bond” scheme would be scrapped following widespread opposition from local communities. The proposal would have given cash incentives for individuals and families to move to Scottish island communities and was announced by the SNP during the Holyrood elections last year.
Orkney MSP Liam McArthur reiterated his call for a fourth daily return sailing between Stromness and Scrabster following the grounding of MV Pentalina earlier this month.
The big events this week in the Parliament were two debates on Highly Protected Marine Areas, or HPMAs.
Scottish Liberal Democrat and Shetland MSP, Beatrice Wishart, has quizzed the Transport Minister on the booking system for the Northern Isles ferry route. Bookings beyond 30th September are not open.
So ferries look set to be the focus of attention at Holyrood again this week following the grounding of MV Pentalina on Saturday evening, albeit the attention shifts from events on the west coast to here in Orkney.
Liam McArthur today praised the ‘calm professionalism’ of those involved in the rescue of passengers aboard MV Pentalina on Saturday evening and the ‘generosity’ of the local community who looked after them once ashore.
My week started with local meetings followed by attending Living Lerwick’s AGM in Lerwick Town Hall.
Orkney MSP Liam McArthur today praised the role of community-led housing projects in bringing affordable housing to rural and island communities, and called for more to be done to support them.
Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament marking MS Awareness Week 2023 (24-30 April) which has attracted strong cross party support.
It was back to Holyrood on Tuesday after Easter recess and a week in which the SNP face continued questions about their finances while in Westminster the Deputy Prime Minister has resigned from his ministerial roles.
