Green MSP John Finnie says the Scottish Green Party will be supporting the general principles of the bill at decision time. 

Mr Finnie says the policy is about removing barriers and that the balance has been struck here. 

The Green MSP says it is important to remember that all survivors are individuals. 

He refers to an individual who is a survivor and, because of the system, he was passed around and not dealt with properly. 

Mr Finnie says the committee has asked the government to look at the group who suffered abuse before 1964 and consider what other redress may be available. 

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Plans to scrap the time bar on child sexual abuse survivors suing for damages have been backed by Holyrood's justice committee.

The Scottish government wants to end the three-year limit on bringing a civil action.

It would mean that cases from as long ago as 1964 could be heard in court.

A justice committee report has now supported the government bill, which it is hoped would "remove a barrier" for survivors to access civil justice.

• Will a new child abuse law deliver?

It said : "Survivors have been let down by the justice system and denied the opportunity to have their voices heard."

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Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur says his party strongly supports the general principles of the Limitation(Childhood Abuse)(Scotland) Bill.

Mr McArthur offers special thanks to the survivors for their strength and courage in giving evidence.

He says these changes to the law are essential.

The Lib Dem MSP says the courts have discretion to remove the time bar, but it has scarcely been used.

He says the bill needs to go further to include neglect.

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The Scottish child abuse inquiry will remain focused solely on the abuse of children who were in care, John Swinney confirmed last November.

The education secretary told MSPs he would amend the terms of reference of the inquiry to "clarify" its remit.

He said including abuse in non-residential settings would make the inquiry take much longer.

The probe into the nature and extent of abuse of children in care in Scotland is expected to last four years.  

Read more here.

Labour MSP Johann Lamont says this bill marks progress and that survivors should be saluted for speaking up and speaking out.

Ms Lamont says the bill represents a change in attitude and understanding. 

The Labour MSP says time bar only served to tell survivors that their abuse did not count. 

She says this is a powerful message that it is unacceptable. 

SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson says he welcomes the bill but takes no pleasure that it has had to come to this.

Mr Stevenson says "the courts are one way of getting peace after abuse" pointing out that support should also be offered to people outside the court process.

The SNP MSP says he wonders if there may be an opportunity to extend the scope to people who may be over 18 but have a more limited capacity. 

He says this is a principled matter where we want to support people and the practicalities will have to be worked out. 

"This is a matter of principle, not a matter of money," he says. 

Ms Baker says the bill will not apply to cases prior to 1964.

The Labour MSP says the committee raised concerns about the financial impacts of the bill.

She says the government will have Labour's support on the bill.

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Child abuse survivors' groups  said they had "no trust left" in Scotland's Child Abuse Inquiry in February.

White Flowers Alba and In Care Abuse Survivors Group both called for urgent answers from the Scottish government on the future of the inquiry.

The probe has been plagued by problems and all three original panel members have now resigned.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said he understood the concerns but told the BBC the inquiry was gathering momentum.

Read more here.

Labour MSP Claire Baker says the bill is welcome it is regrettable it has taken so long to come to fruition.

Ms Baker says the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has been hugely problematic.

She says she supports the broad principles of the bill.

Ms Baker says there is a further debate to be had around the definition of abuse in the bill.

Labour MSP Claire Baker says access to the civil justice system is something survivors should have access too and that is something this bill seeks to achieve.

Ms Baker says this is may not be a path that all survivors have to take.

The Labour MSP says time bar does not recognise that it can take years for some survivors to realise that what has happened to them is wrong.

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Mr Ross says there is a compelling argument that many people who have waited decades will want to raise an action after the bill becomes law.

The Conservative MSP says this bill is no panacea, it will not be a solution to everyone, but there can be no doubting the bill is an important step forward for many as an access to justice.

Mr Ross says while there is support for this legislation there are also concerns that he hopes the government will continue to consider. 

The Tory MSP says some of the concerns have only received "superficial responses" from the government so far.

He says that one such concern is around the financial memorandum. 

Mr Ross says it is essential that those who will now be able to bring forward cases that they previously couldn't because of time bar are not left frustrated because it is not properly resourced. 

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Conservative MSP Douglas Ross says his party supports the bill and its aims.

Mr Ross also pays tribute to everyone who gave evidence and praises the bravery of the victims.

He says the committee heard powerful evidence that the time bar was a barrier to justice.

The Tory MSP says victims often do not come forward until many years, or indeed many decades, after the abuse.

Ms Mitchell says suffice to say that the minister told the committee that this bill is about striking balances and the Justice Committee recognises this.

The Justice Committee convener says there may be an administrative burden and the report highlights the impact that there may be on the bill's provision of services.

She says the committee called on the government to make sure the bill is properly resourced.

Ms Mitchell says the bill is fully supported by the committee.

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Ms Mitchell says if a survivor does not decide to pursue a civil action they will have the option of pursuing other avenues through the Scottish Childhood Abuse Inquiry or the Apologies Act.

The Tory MSP says the definition of abuse includes physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

She says the committee heard strong evidence calling for neglect to be included.

The Justice Committee convener says there is no precedent for legislating away decrees of absolvitor.

Ms Mitchell says survivors have been let down by the justice system and therefore the bill removes limitation referred to as time bar.

The Justice Committee convener says the committee is unanimous in the need for this bill to removes time bar which is a "barrier to justice".

The Tory MSP says it is extremely important to realise that survivors should have the choice to seek justice through the courts and that, if they do decide to take this course, they should be supported.

Image source, Justice Committee Margaret Mitchell

Justice Committee convener Margaret Mitchell pays tribute to the survivors of child abuse who were willing to share their experiences with the committee.

Ms Mitchell says: "We fully recognise the immense courage it took to appear before the committee."

The Tory MSP says the courts have not accepted delay resulting from shame, fear or psychological difficulties arising from the abuse.

She says the discretion for judges has virtually never been used.

Ms Ewing says there will be cases where issues of fairness and prejudice will have to be carefully assessed. 

The minister says section 17d is a difficult area and each case will have to be considered on its own circumstances.

She says she is keen to avoid a checklist approach .

Ms Ewing says this bill is about recognising the unique position of survivors. 

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Ms Ewing says she is satisfied the provisions in the bill are convention compatible.

The minister says the legislation already goes further than other jurisdictions.

Ms Ewing says she has considered the evidence about the different forms that abuse can take.

The minister says it is important to point out that for types of abuse not included in the bill, the language is inclusive.

Ms Ewing says cases that have previously been raised and affected by time bar can be relitigated.

She says this includes those that have a decree of absolvitor.