Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie says he is pleased the extraordinary number of responses expresses the concerns about fracking.

Mr Harvie says there is widespread expectation the decision will be for a full ban on fracking.

The first minister says the concern about the watering down of environmental regulations is one about the UK government not the Scottish government.

Ms Sturgeon says she has described herself as personally very skeptical about fracking.

She says a final decision will be made in the timescale set out.

In November we reported that the Scottish government hopes to make a decision on whether to allow fracking in the second half of 2017.

The government is mulling over whether to allow the controversial oil and gas extraction technique in Scotland, with a moratorium currently in force.

Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse told MSPs that a "precautionary, evidence-based approach" would continue.

A public consultation based on published studies has now closed.

Read more here.

Fracking consultation.

Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie says two weeks ago the consultation on fracking and unconventional gas closed.

Mr Harvie asks if it is the biggest consultation ever and raises reports of health risks from fracking.

He says the temporary moratorium cannot last for the long term and says the Scottish government must make a decision.

Mr Harvie asks for a final decision to be made before the end of the year.

The first minister says: "That is the timetable we continue to work to."

She says there will be a vote in parliament on that decision.

There were about 60,000 responses to the consultation, she says.

Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie adds his concern for those affected by the shocking fire at Grenfell Tower.

Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott says the closure of Lerwick Power Station has been announced with the loss of jobs..

He asks if the government will contact Ofgem on this "ill-conceived proposal".

Ms Sturgeon says that the government will contact Ofgem to discuss the matter.

She adds that she recognises concerns and she will ask for the relevant minister to look into it.

Tory MSP Liam Kerr says a Press and Journal report revealed an Aberdeen man had died, external waiting for an ambulance.

Mr Kerr asked what action will be taken to avoid another case like this happening.

Ms Strugeon expresses condolences to the victim's family and says the case is under investigation and it is not appropriate for her to comment further at this time.

SNP MSP Bob Doris extends his condolences to the victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy and says his constituency, Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, has many high rise towers.

Mr Doris says the most appropriate and rigorous fire regulations must be in place.

Ms Sturgeon says she agrees with Bob Doris that lessons learned from the Grenfell tower tragedy must be learned here.

The first minster says there are serious questions to answer about the fire but people must not rush to judgement.

She adds that the government must stand ready to reassure those in similar accommodation in Scotland and that the government stands ready to learn the lessons of the tragedy.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale says the first minister has taken teachers for granted for years and now they are threatening strike action.

She says Ms Sturgeon is putting untrained teachers in classrooms and bringing in league tables

Ms Dugdale asks does that not prove when you vote SNP you get Tory.

Ms Sturgeon says that is rich from the leader who advised people to vote Tory.

The first minister says there is no question of untrained teachers being in schools.

She says there will be extra money to help teachers do the job they do and she says Labour never bring forward constructive ideas.

Teachers have signalled they could strike unless action is taken to increase pay.

The EIS, Scotland's largest teaching union, is demanding urgent action from the Scottish government.

It is to mount a campaign to restore teachers' salaries to the values set out in the McCrone agreement on pay and conditions.

The Scottish government said it would play its part in the negotiation of teachers' pay and conditions.

A spokeswoman added that they have already acted to cut teachers' workloads.

Read more here.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale says the EIS revealed that teacher's workload has increased and fewer than half would recommend the profession.

Ms Dugdale says there is a recruitment crisis and teachers are saying "enough is enough" and calls on the first minister to say sorry.

Ms Sturgeon says the government will fund maintaining teacher numbers, direct funding to headteachers and reduce teacher workload.

The first minister says the government will continue to take action.

Plans for a major shake-up in the way schools are governed will be set out by the Scottish government later.

The government has been reviewing what powers schools and councils should have.

It has also been looking at what planned new regional boards should do.

Education Secretary John Swinney will set out the proposals to the Scottish Parliament. Councils are fiercely protective of their role in the education system.

Virtually every state-funded school in Scotland is run by the local council.

Read more here.

Ms Dugdale moves on to say the SNP have presided over 4,000 fewer teachers while class sizes are up.

She asks why is it always someone elses fault and never hers.

Ms Sturgeon says Kezia Dugdale is talking nonsense.

The first minister points to Mr Swinney's statement this afternoon on education governance.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale adds her "heartfelt condolences" to all affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower and she adds her praise of the emergency services.

Ms Sturgeon says Ruth Davidson is dodging the issues facing the country in four days time.

The first minister again says she will reflect on indyref2 calmly.

She asks again what Ms Davidson's position on Brexit is.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says people are going to get some calm reflection from her.

Ms Sturgeon says Ruth Davidson is nothing more than a one trick pony.

She says clarity is needed in four days times and she asks Ruth Davidson for her position on the single market and the customs union.

Ms Davidson says the majority of people in Scotland believe staying in the UK is in their best interests.

She asks the first minister to ditch indyref2.

Ms Davidson says "ask her for a referendum plan and she hides behind her Brexit bogeymen".

The Scottish Conservative leader says within hours of the Brexit vote the first minister "pounced" to put a second independence referendum on the table and that it is "double standards".

She says If SNP MSP Alex Neil gets that another referendum is not going to happen in the lifetime of this parliament then, why can't she.

Brian Taylor
BBC Scotland Political Editor

Will the SNP abandon independence? No. Will they abandon a referendum as the conduit through which independence is achieved? Absolutely not.

So what are they doing? Well, they may need to change the nature of the language.

I think they feel that they didn't get across sufficiently the point that the referendum they want on independence is at the end of the Brexit process.

They kept saying: "When the prime minister says there shouldn't be a referendum now, we agree". So I think they will try and re-emphasise that.

That will not be sufficient for their pro-Union opponents, who will say they don't care how it is rebranded or that it is being placed in contradistinction to Brexit - it is not wanted and it is not needed.