Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles admits he had concerns about raising islanders' expectations when the Bill was first published.

He explains that, as made clear on trips to the islands, communities expected the "funds would be found to put things right".

"I am now convinced with the amendments passed today that this is a much improved Bill."

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Green MSP John Finne says this legislation has been an excellent piece of cross party work.

Mr Finnie believes the Islands Bill will turn out to be an historic piece of legislation.

The Green MSP tells the chamber no two islands are the same, stressing the importance of communities.

We need to look at making our islands truly sustainable, he says.

Image source, BBC/Timeline Films

• Creation of a National Islands Plan
• Statutory protection for the Western Isles' Na h-Eileanan an Iar Scottish parliamentary constituency boundary
• Greater flexibility around councillor representation within island communities
• Extended powers to island councils in relation to marine licensing. This involves the potential extension of the provisions of the Orkney and Zetland County Council Acts of 1974, to enable Scottish minsters to establish a scheme requiring that activities up to 12 nautical miles from an island are licensed by the appropriate local authority

Labour MSP Colin Smyth says the Bill is a step forward though it could have been more radical.

He welcomes impact assessment processes for island communities in particular.

The Labour MSP argues little has been done to devolve power to communities, though amendments agreed today will begin to deal with this.

He says he looks forward to future work to ensure the ambitions behind the Bill are achieved.

Orkney Council, Shetland Council and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar launched the campaign in 2014.

A joint mission statement, external from the three councils sought to open discussion of how the islands are accounted for constitutionally.

Suggestions included:

• Giving the councils control of the sea bed around the islands
• Creating new grid connections so tidal and wave energy could be sent to the mainland
• Establishing fiscal arrangements so the islands receive more benefits from local resources

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Tory MSP Peter Chapman thanks the councils of Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles for starting their process with the Our Islands, Our Future initiative.

Mr Chapman hopes it gives them the powers and the autonomy they hoped for.

The Tory MSP welcomes the passing of Liam McArthur's amendment on retrospective impact assessments to allow "island proofing".

He says without the proper budgetary support the aspirations in the Bill will remain just that, aspirations.

Islands Minister Humza Yousaf says this Bill is an important milestone for the island communities.

This government has worked really hard to deliver for the islands, he says, pointing to the road equivalent tariff, the air discount scheme, a housing fund and investment in broadband.

This BIll is about people and it is for people, the minister explains.

It will give them a platform to build the future for the islands, he concludes.

Image source, BBC/Timeline Films

MSPs unanimously agreed the general principles of the Islands (Scotland) Bill in February.

It followed the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee endorsing the general principles of the Bill in January.

In its stage 1 report, external, the committee agreed the Bill would enable future action by the Scottish government.

However, it also urged the government to manage the needs of islands who may expect more immediate outcomes and to ensure locals can feed into the national islands plan.

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MSPs will now debate the Islands (Scotland) Bill, external as a whole, before voting on it at decision time at the later time of 5.45pm.

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Welcome unanimity around the group 10 amendment 31 on the report on the operation of Act.

Moving to group 9 on marine development and plans, Islands Minister Humza Yousaf provides an explanation on his amendment on 'delegation of functions relating to regional marine plans'.

MSPs pass it unanimously.

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Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur's amendment 13 on requests for additional powers from local authorities is passed - just.

62 MSPs backed it and 60 voted against.

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Tory MSP Jamie Greene moves on to group 8 which relates to the number of councillors in wards consisting of inhabited islands.

Islands Minister Humza Yousaf argues against the amendment and it is duly defeated.

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Both amendments 3A and 3 are backed unanimously.

So a mapping requirement for Shetland makes it into the Bill.

No more putting Shetland in a corner.....box.

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Islands Minister Humza Yousaf expresses sympathy with Mr Scott's amendment.

The minister outlines measures taken to ensure all islands are accurately represented going forward.

He explains he looked closely at Mr Scott's amendment and argues his own amendment allows exclusion for the mapping requirement where the circumstances dictate.

The minister tells the chamber he will back Mr Scott's amendment but calls on MSPs to back his.

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