PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR LIVE TEXT COVERAGE
The Health Committee questioned the author of legislation that would introduce a soft opt-out for organ donation, as well as Scotland's top organ transplant clinician and the public health minister
Topical questions on flooding and the Glasgow bin lorry tragedy
The transport minister delivered an emergency statement on the Forth Road Bridge closure
MSPs debated the Criminal Justice Bill which sets out police powers to arrest, question and detain people
The member's debate focused on the campaign against Aberdeen's controversial Marischal Square project
The minister says there will be a relaxation in the restrictions of drivers' hours.
He says it would not be appropriate to change the speed limit of HGVs.
"That's not a gamble I am willing to take with live in Scotland".
Labour MSP Claire Baker asks if the minister is confident of his timetable for the reopening of the bridge.
Mr Mackay says he is.
SNP MSP Rod Campbell asks if the dialogue with businesses will continue.
The minister says it will.
Dunfermline and West Fife MSP Cara Hilton raises the issue of a lack of parking at train stations.
The Labour MSP calls for free shuttle buses to trains stations from Halbeath.
The minister says the reason Stagecoach have been deployed is because they are the largest operators.
Mr Mackay says he wants to transfer people from train stations to buses, where there is extra capacity.
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie says he expects the minister to return to parliament for a proper examination of what actually happened to the bridge.
Mr Rennie asks for details of the travel plan.
Mr Mackay says the government is listening and updating the travel plan constantly.
SNP MSP David Torrance asks for clarification of the measures in place on the rail network.
Mr Mackay says in terms of rail, extra carriages are being provided as well as an extended timetable providing a further 8,000 seats.
Mr Mackay says he is happy to take on board any suggestions to improve the travel plan.
The minister says he believes a much more serious problem in the structure of the bridge has been averted.
Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser says the problems with the transport plan must be identified and solved.
Mr Fraser asks what more can the Scottish government do to help commuters.
He asks what proposals have the Scottish government got to support businesses.
The Tory MSP calls for an independent inquiry.
Hauliers have warned they may seek compensation for extra costs totalling £600,000 a day because of the Forth Road Bridge delays and diversions.
The bridge has been completely closed until the new year after steelwork faults were found.
Image source, Forth Road BridgeThe Road Haulage Association (RHA) said the main diversion route was adding an extra £30 in fuel costs.
The Scottish government said the alternative travel arrangements were working better than expected.
Mr Mackay says there are actually more people working on the bridge now than before the transfer to Amey.
The minister says there was a seamless transition.
Mr Rowley asks how this fault has developed and there have been people saying repairs in 2010 were cancelled.
The Labour MSP says in 2012 there was a capital funding cut to the bridge and in 2007 repairs were identified.
He calls for a parliamentary inquiry into the circumstances leading up to this crisis.
Transport Minister Derek Mackay says the government is listening to the public and communities and adapting the travel plan all the time.
Mr Mackay says: "This fault was not predicted, this fault was not identified."
Scottish Labour MSP Alex Rowley says the impact on thousands of people getting to and from work cannot be understated.
Mr Rowley recognises that the Scottish government made the right decision and that the transport minister has worked hard.
"We will continue to work with all partners and the emergency services to manage the impact of the closure and to help ensure that the diversions operate as efficiently as possible.
"We will continue to share all travel information through the dedicated website."
The minister says this is an unprecedented transport challenge.
He says the safety of the travelling public is of paramount importance and the decisions that have been taken will ensure that this is maintained.
Specialists are working day and night to return the bridge to normality and the government will fix the problem as soon as we possibly can.
The minister says a call, chaired by the deputy first minister, was held this morning with business organisations.
He says this was an opportunity to share information and identify any practical steps that could be taken.
A number of suggestions have been made by business and Ministers have committed to look at all of them in detail.
Mr Mackay says the uptake of the Park and Ride was low however with loadings averaging 12% at Halbeath and 7% at Ferrytoll.
Commuters waiting on the 06:30 train to Edinburgh at Dunfermline
He says the government are doing everything we can to encourage further use of this service.
"I would like to remind everyone that the successful implementation of this plan depends upon the choices people make and we would again encourage the public to use these additional bus services."
Mr Mackay says specialist engineers believe that this new defect identified on Tuesday as part of a routine inspection has only occurred in the past few weeks.
The minister says: "The decision to close the Forth Road Bridge was not taken lightly.
"It is firmly based on the expert opinion of the engineers who operate the bridge day to day and that of independent experts in the field."
Mr Mackay says: "It is anticipated that following the completion of a successful repair the bridge will reopen in time for people to return to work in the New Year."
