Ms McInnes says Home Start's voluntary support is so important because being a parent is not easy.

There is no training and children do not come with an instruction manual, she says.

The Lib Dem MSP says parents can struggle to cope and that is where volunteers can step in.

The support from volunteers is tailored to fit individual families.

Ms McInnes says the organisation first opened its doors in the Garioch area of Aberdeenshire in April 1995 and that Home-Start is a voluntary organisation that offers support to families facing issues such as rural isolation, disability, illness, multiple birth, post-natal depression and family difficulties. 

The Lib Dem MSP recognises the importance of such projects to families who are facing such issues and the need for ongoing one-to-one support, such as is provided by Home-Start to families with young children. 

She congratulates the staff and volunteers of Home Start Garioch, external, and wishes them the very best success in the future.

Scottish Lib Dem MSP Alison McInnes congratulates Garioch Home-Start on its 20th anniversary, during her member's debate.

The fire alarm in the Scottish Parliament is now over and we will now wait to see if the Garioch Home-Start member's debate goes ahead, before portfolio questions at 2pm.

First up this afternoon in the chamber, Scottish Lib Dem MSP Alison McInnes congratulates Garioch Home-Start on its 20th anniversary, during her member's debate.

The start appears to be delayed by the fire alarm.

The main piece of business of the day is of course Finance Secretary John Swinney's draft budget statement, which begins at 2.40pm.

Image source, bbc

Before that the member’s debate today is next, as Lib Dem MSP Alison McInnes  higlights the Garioch Home-Start’s 20th anniversary celebrations.

This may be due as there has been a fire alarm at the Scottish Parliament, we will keep you informed. 

After that Portfolio questions focuses on  fair work, skills and training and then social justice, communities and pensioner’s rights.

The committee agrees to the proposals for an inquiry into the Forth Road Bridge as detailed by the committee convener. 

The Infrastructure Committee now moves into private session. 

The committee convener says there is agreement the scope of the inquiry should be into the structural defects that led to the closure of the bridge.

Mr Eadie invite committee members to agree on that limited scope and the timetable.

He says the clerk should approach an individual who can act as a technical adviser to the committee.

The SNP MSP says he will consult with members of the committee on which witnesses be selected. 

He says there is agreement to broaden the timescale beyond ten years. 

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Adam Ingram says we need to get on with it.

Mr Johnstone says he thinks an independent technical adviser would benefit the inquiry.

SNP MSP Mike MacKenzie says he agrees with what's been said so far particularly in relation to timescales.

Mr MacKenzie says the committee has other work so the inquiry should be kept short.

The SNP MSP says the minister has said he will be transparent and has demonstrated this so far.

SNP MSP Clare Adamson says she does not understand why the scope of the inquiry should be limited to ten years.

Tory MSP Alex Johnstone says his party is calling for an independent inquiry but he supports David Stewart's position on this committee inquiry.

Mr Johnstone says there is little option to seek to complete this process while the parliament still sits. 

Labour MSP David Stewart finally suggests the final selection of witnesses should involve consultation with all committee members. 

SNP MSP Clare Adamson says she agrees with everything said so far. 

Labour MSP David Stewart says the closure of the bridge has caused a lot of frustration.

He says the first priority is the safe reopening of the bridge.

Mr Stewart thanks the engineers for all their work so far. 

The Labour MSP says there should be an independent technical advisor in any inquiry to review all the information that is given to the committee.

He also believes the former bridge master and FETA engineers should be invited to take part in any inquiry. 

Mr Eadie says the Labour MSP David Stewart called for an inquiry into the closure of the bridge and the Scottish government has said it will cooperate with any inquiry.

The SNP MSP says the paper circulated by the clerks has indicated that the focus of any inquiry should be narrow and focus on the core issue of the structural defects of the bridge.

The committee convener acknowledges the disruption the closure of the bridge has caused, but the focus must be on the structural defects.

Mr Eadie says an inquiry should include evidence from Transport Scotland and Amey officials, a panel of independent engineering experts and the transport minister. 

Committee Convener Jim Eadie begins the consideration of a possible inquiry into the Forth Road Bridge closure.

The Infrastructure Committee will now deliberate the scope of a potential "focused" inquiry into the closure of the Forth Road Bridge.

Engineers are working towards having the Forth Road Bridge open to traffic by the first Monday in January, it has been confirmed.  

Bridge operator Amey said the date of 4 January was dependent on the weather, but said the work was on track.

Image source, Getty Images

MSPs were given the target date at a briefing on progress on repairs.

The bridge has been closed to all traffic since 4 December after a crack was discovered in a truss under the carriageway.

Repairs on the damaged area are now underway, with scaffolding erected around the northeast main tower leg and new steelwork being lifted into place.

Douglas Millican says Scottish Water is operating extremely well but it can get better.

The Scottish Water chief executive says all the organisations staff must be honest in their dealings with the public.

Image source, Scottish Water

That concludes the evidence session with Scottish Water, external.  

The committee suspends briefly.

Committee Convenor Jim Eadie asks about the roll out of infrastructure plans and asks what dialogue there is with customers over works.

Mr Millican uses the Shieldhall tunnel as an example, saying this is directly adjacent to customer properties.

The Chief Executive says whether it's a project that's right on a customer's doorstep or otherwise the approach has been radically changed.

He says the customers are now at the heart of plans and that the approach is adapted to minimise any disruption. 

Mr Farre points to the problems caused by the recent flooding, particularly in Hawick.

The Scottish Water chief operating officer praises staff for sorting the problems so quickly.

Image source, Traffic Scotland

Heavy rains from Storm Desmond brought flooding and travel problems to Scotland

Homes were evacuated in Hawick after the River Teviot burst its banks and the Nith has flooded in Dumfries.

Roads were affected across the country, with some major routes closed at times.

SNP MSP Adam Ingram raises the issue of the loss of water supplies around Rutherglen and the South Side of Glasgow on March 3 this year. 

Mr Farrer says he does not have the specific details on that incident but will write to the committee with that information. 

Mr Ingram asks about incidents of flash floods in our road structure.

Mr Millican says the challenge of the weather will always be with us and some of Scottish Water's infrastructure will fail on occasion.

He says keeping customers in service is the priority.