Mr Swinney praises BBC Alba and MG Alba for its contribution to increasing awareness of Gaelic.

Benefits can also been seen in training, skills and the creative industries, he says.

We will continue to support the diverse contribution of MG Alba and discussions will continue on how to do this, the education secretary says.

Mr Swinney also says Gaelic can play an important role in helping the artistic community.

Drama organisations, arts centres and festivals provide opportunities for Gaelic arts, he says.

It is important to encourage participation, the minister says.

Image source, bbc

Deputy First Minister John Swinney announces a third Gaelic school is to open in Glasgow as demand for places continues to grow.

The first minister announces £1.9m investment in the progject.

The new school will be located in the Cartvale area of the city and it is expected to open to pupils in 2019.

Nearly 900 pupils are enrolled in Glasgow’s two existing GME schools at Glendale and Berkeley Street – both of which are now at capacity.

Image source, Bòrd na Gàidhlig

The National Gaelic Language Plan, external, launched at the end of March, sets out a framework for faster growth of the language across Scotland.

The five year plan has been developed by Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

Its central purpose it to encourage and enable more people to use Gaelic.

Education Secretary John Swinney said: "It is vital that we have clear agreed priorities and continue to work together to increase the numbers speaking, learning and using the language."

Priority areas cover: targeting initiatives towards young people; increasing Gaelic's contribution to the economy; developing the Gaelic medium workforce; and ensuring public bodies create and implement Gaelic language plans.

Education Secretary John Swinney is leading a debate on the launch of the National Gaelic Language Plan.

Here is his motion:

Image source, Scottish parliament

The government has restated its commitment to leaving the EU's custom union - ahead of a symbolic vote on the issue this week.

Last Wednesday, the government suffered defeat on the EU Withdrawal Bill in the House of Lords on the issue of staying in a UK-EU customs union after Brexit.

And MPs will get their own chance to debate the issue on Thursday.

But a senior Downing Street source told the BBC the government's position would not change.

"We will not be staying in the customs union or joining a customs union," the source said.

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BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said Downing Street's move was an attempt to reassure Brexiteers worried about a U-turn following the Lords defeat and pressure from the EU.

A customs union is when countries agree to apply the same taxes on imports to goods from outside the union.

Read more.

Mr Russell says the UK government is proceeding with a fantasy about the benefit of free trade deal which is miniscule compared to the disadvantages of leaving the customs union.

"I do find that frankly, well there's only one word for it, disgusting."

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Maurice Golden ask simply: "Did the first minister overrule the minister on making a deal?"

"No," asserts the Brexit minister.

Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott says it appears the Welsh government is going to accept the UK government's amendments tomorrow.

"What is the difference between Cardiff and Edinburgh?", he asks.

The Brexit minister repeats that the Scottish and Welsh government's will continue to work together on all Brexit-related issues, no matter on their decisions or the decisions of the respective parliaments.

Image source, bbc

Scottish Green Party co-convener Patrick Harvie says he has repeatedly said he was sceptical that the UK government would back down from its "power grab approach".

Mr Harvie says there is now a bigger question, asking if it is now time to say the entire EU referendum result is in question and there is no safe mandate for leaving the EU.

Mr Russell says: "I have the greatest sympathy with that view."

"This result does not have the agreement of the people of Scotland."

Labour MSP Neil Findlay says it is clear that the three governments have worked constructively to find some compromise.

He asks if there is agreement from Wales on the proposed amendments to clause 11.

Labour's Brexit spokesperson also suggests the Brexit minister wanted to agree but it was "kiboshed" by the first minister.

Mr Russell says the core issue is whether the Scottish parliament will consent and whether it will be asked for consent.

We will vigourously defend the Continuity Bill in the Supreme Court, he says.

The Brexit minister adds that whatever the decision of the Welsh government, the Scottish government will continue to work together to protect devolution.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins says it is deeply disappointing the minister has come to the chamber without a deal today.

Mr Tomkins says the UK government has come forward with a deal which it will publish tomorrow.

However he says for "narrow political reasons the SNP once again says no".

Was Mr Russell prepared to sign up to the UK government's new deal and was it the first minister vetoed who this, asks the Tory MSP.

The Brexit minister reiterates the two options he has outlined today, either of which he would accept.

He refutes Mr Tomkins final allegation regarding disagreement with the first minister over the latest offer from the UK government.

Later this week the Scottish government will lay in parliament the supplementary legislative consent memorandum, the minister confirms.

This will spell out the Scottish government's remaining concerns, he says.

Mr Russell reiterates that if clause 11 remains then the Scottish government will not recommend its approval.

"The UK government has no mandate to undermine the powers of this parliament."

We want to agree with the UK government so we can spend time on the challenges presented by Brexit but we will not agree at any price, concludes Mr Russell.

Mr Russell says, as it stands, during the period of constraint Westminster will have a free hand over devolved issues while "our parliament's hands would be tied".

The Brexit minister asks how the government could recommend a Bill that would make Scotland so vulnerable.

He says the UK government's current proposals could restrict the Scottish Parliament's powers for seven years.

Mr Russell says one answer would be to simply remove Clause 11 from the Bill.