Conservative MSP Jackson Carlaw says the first minister's statement last week was self-defeating and this is not a nation led by a diplomat. 

Mr Carlaw welcomes Mr Russell to his new role and says the government may lack diplomats but in Mr Russell they have a man capable of diplomacy. 

He denies that the Conservative Party is the Brexit party and says the EU referendum had an overwhelming mandate at Westminster.

Mr Russell concludes saying Scotland's history is intertwined with the countries of the continent.

The Brexit negotiations minister says Scotland is and always will be outward looking and European engagement made us who we are.

He says he looks forward to work with anyone to ensue Scotland continues to flourish as a European nation.

Mr Russell says he will meet with his UK counterpart David Davis tomorrow.

The Brexit minister says he stands ready to listen and to speak, both to remain and leave camps, to get the very best deal for Scotland.

He says his job will be collaborative. 

Mr Russell says the approach to negotiations must be detailed but also principled and reflect Scotland's values.

The Brexit negotiations minister says it is time the negotiations got under way.

Mr Russell says after three months we do not know whether the UK government wants to remain in the single market.

Brexit Negotiations Minister Mike Russell says Scotland's voice is being heard across the EU.

Mr Russell says the message from the UK government has been confusing and has no content.

He says "a hard Brexit may be the destination".

Labour MSP Neil Findlay intervenes in the minister's speech saying the UK voted to leave and Scotland is part of the UK.

Brexit Minister Mike Russell says the Scottish government has lost no time in acting on all fronts to get the best for Scotland.

Mr Russell says he is not expecting to much sleep in the coming weeks.

Michael Russell, the new minister charged with making the Scottish case in Brexit negotiations, will now lead the debate on the EU for the government.

The debate is titled 'Implications of the EU Referendum Result and UK Negotiating Position'

Image source, bbc

Mr Russell will call on the UK government to clarify whether it wants to remain in the single market.

The Conservatives will argue there must be a UK-wide approach to talks.

Across the UK, 52% of people voted to leave the EU, while in Scotland 62% voted to remain.

Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser raises a point of order about the availability of printed business bulletins, saying there are none.

Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh says he surmises there were a limited number and he will get parliamentary officials to look into it.

Brexit Minister Michael Russell will say: "We have no idea whether or not the UK wishes to remain within the single market, almost three months on from the referendum. That is not good enough.

"I am today inviting this parliament to add their voice to ours in holding the UK government to the prime minister's commitment and reiterating their support for our principled and values-driven approach to protecting Scotland's interests, fundamental to which is to remain inside the single market.

Image source, bbc

"For continued fairness and opportunity for Scotland's workers as well as for long-term prosperity for Scotland as a whole, we must not be dragged by the hardline Brexiteers out of the single market.

"That is the case we must make loudly and clearly. In so doing we will find many others across these islands who believe the same and who can join us in the fight to preserve our future in Europe."

The deadline for paying European subsidies to farmers was extended from 30 June to 15 October.

Problems with a new Scottish government computer system have caused delays to many Scottish farmers due the money.

The Scottish government had been facing fines of between £40m and £125m if it did not meet the June deadline.

But the EU's commissioner for agriculture, Phil Hogan, announced the new date in June. 

Scottish Conservative MSP Maurice Corry asks what support the government provides to farmers who are in debt.  

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing says the potential withdrawal from the EU will not have an immediate impact.

SNP MSP Ruth Maguire asks what impact withdrawal from the EU would have on the Digital Scotland's superfast broadband project. 

In August more than 85% of households in Scotland had access to fibre broadband, but reaching the remaining rural areas will be a challenge, according to a report.

Audit Scotland said it expected this figure to rise to 95% by December 2017 if BT continued to meet its targets.

However, extending coverage to rural areas will require "more complicated and costly engineering solutions".

Image source, GETTY IMAGES

The Scottish government also has "much to do" to achieve a world class digital infrastructure by 2020, auditors said.

That included defining clearly what "world class" meant and setting out plans for how it will be achieved, the report added.

Mr Ewing says BT must improve but the dialogue is constructive.

The minister says BT and Openreach must know that Scotland deserves the best broadband.