The Public Petitions Committee discusses support for families with multiple births
Nicola Sturgeon is quizzed by opposition party leaders and backbench MSPs during first minister's questions
The Scottish government gives a statement updating parliament on the South of Scotland Partnership.
MSPs debate the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Repeal) (Scotland) Bill for the final time before voting on whether to pass it at decision time
Image source, bbcJames Kelly put forward the Bill to repeal the Football Act
MSPs debate the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Repeal) (Scotland) Bill, external for the final time.
It is expected the Bill will be passed at decision time.
Image source, bbcMs Ewing says seeking a two month delay from Royal Assent is not unusual.
She accepts amended guidelines were issued last week but calls for time for relevant organisations to adapt.
MSPs reject amendment 3 with 60 backing it but 60 against.
The same fate befalls her final amendment.
Image source, SP
Image source, SPLabour MSP James Kelly says parliament made its view on repealing the Act clear in November last year.
Prosecutors will be well aware of this, he says.
"When you've got poor legislation on the statute book, it makes sense to get it off there as quickly as possible."
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Image source, bbcTory MSP Liam Kerr says he is not persuaded by the minister's argument.
Lord Advocate has already published new guidelines to stop using the law and instruct the use of pre existing statutory offence.
He says: "It is not as though repeal is going to come as a surprise to anyone."
"The time for delay is over."
Legal Affairs Minister Annabelle Ewing
Legal Affairs Minister Annabelle Ewing speaks to amendment 3 which seeks to delay the commencement of section 1 for two months.
She says this will allow all reasonable adjustments to be made ahead of the change.
This is not unusual as far as criminal law is concerned, the minister says.
Ms Ewing notes the current football season will not end to mid-May but as it stands, repealing the legislation could come into effect in mid-April.
She argues a delay would allow extra time between football seasons and provide extra clarity.
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Image source, bbcAnnabelle Ewing
Image source, bbcMSPs reject Annabelle Ewing's first amendment, with 60 MSPs backing it and with 62 against.
The minister's second amendment is also rejected, by the same numbers.
Image source, bbcThis is the successful use of section 6 the minister keeps referring to.
Image source, Stewart RobertsonA Rangers supporter who threatened to kill Hibernian manager Neil Lennon in a Facebook rant has been spared jail.
Sean Cowan, 54, asked fellow fans for a gun so he could "shoot" Lennon in the head.
He was incensed after the former Celtic star cupped his ears in celebration during a Scottish Premiership match at Ibrox.
Cowan posted the remarks on the Facebook page on fan site Follow Follow on 12 August after Hibs' 3-2 victory.
Image source, bbcLegal Affairs Minister Annabelle Ewing
Legal Affairs Minister Annabelle Ewing insists there is no question that there will be a gap with the repeal of section.
Ms Ewing warns repeal of section 6 will mean there will be no incitement to religious hatred in Scots law.
She argues that it would be irresponsible for the government not to ameliorate the gap that will be created.
The minister says removing the section is "beyond her comprehension" and calls on the parliament to back her amendment.
We have a five minute suspension as this is the first division.
Labour MSP James Kelly
Labour MSP James Kelly says the amendments are "unnecessary" as section 6 has "hardly been used".
The reason for this is because the threshold is too high so police and prosecutors are not using section 6 as a result, Mr Kelly says.
Ms Ewing argues there has been a recent successful conviction under section 6.
The Labour MSP reiterates the point his colleagues have made that there would not be a legal gap.
On the protection of minorities, he argues you cannot offer proper protection if that law cannot be used.
Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur
Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur also speaks against these amendments.
He quotes from the Law Society of Scotland's briefing, which says there will be no legal gap.
The MSP says he will not allow the "misconception" that the Act is protecting people to go unchallenged.
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Labour MSP Daniel Johnson
Labour MSP Daniel Johnson says he hears the concern about section 6 but says the reality is there has only been one conviction under it in the last year.
Mr Johnson says: "It is very clear that repealing section 1 and section 6 will leave no gap in the law."
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Celtic and Rangers fans have been accused of sectarianism in the past
Scottish football is not doing enough to tackle sectarianism, according to some of those employed by the league to help identify it.
A number of current and former match delegates have told BBC Scotland of their dismay at reporting the problem only for no action to be taken.
"It was so frustrating," said one.
"And I know that some of the delegates who are still working today are absolutely appalled that nothing has changed."
Image source, bbcTory MSP Liam Kerr
Tory MSP Liam Kerr speaks against the minister's amendment saying staggering the commencement of repeal will complicate matters and he says he does not believe there will be a gap in the law created.
Ms Ewing insists there will be a gap in the law.
She asks about concerns of equality and faith groups and ask what the problem is in retaining section 6 for 12 months to protect vulnerable communities.
Mr Kerr hits back saying: "There is no gap."
He says this amendment is unhelpful and says his party wil vote against it.
Section 6 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 refers specifically to threatening communities.
It creates an offence when a person communicates material which contains or implies a threat, or an incitement.
The section also creates an offense if the intention behind threatening material is to stir up hatred on religious grounds.
If someone is found guilty of such an offense, they face imprisonment of up to five years and/or a fine.
Community Safety and Legal Affairs Minister Annabelle Ewing says repealing the Act will leave gaps in the law.
Labour MSP James Kelly disagrees and explains why he thinks there is no gap in the law.
Ms Ewing is not convinced and carries on with her explanation of her amendments.
She says some section 6 offences will go unpunished and thus a gap in the law will be created.
Image source, bbcCommunity Safety and Legal Affairs Minister Annabelle Ewing
The minister asks if Scotland wants to be seen to treat religious hatred less seriously than racial hatred.
She says the affect of her amdendments 1,2 and 4 delay the repeal of section 6 by 12 months from Royal Assent of this repeal legislation.
She agains says repealing section 6 creates a gap in the law and she moves amendment 1.
Image source, bbcMarshalled list of amendments
MSPs will now debate amendments brought by the government to the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Repeal) (Scotland) Bill, external, as Stage 3 proceedings get underway.
The amendments relate to a call for a postponement of the repeal of section 6 offence for 12 months from Royal Assent and then for general commencement to be posptoned for 2 months from Royal Assent.
Image source, PAThe law was intended to discourage overtly sectarian behaviour in and around Scottish football matches