Image source, BBC/Timeline Films

The national islands plan, to be prepared by Scottish ministers, must now include plans to improve and promote:

• sustainable economic development
• environmental wellbeing (this vote was not unanimous, with the Tories against it)
• health and wellbeing
• community empowerment
• transport services
• digital connectivity
• a reduction in fuel poverty
• effective management of the Scottish Crown Estate
• biosecurity

Image source, bbc

That lack of agreement on John Mason's amendment on the insertion of environmental wellbeing means................................tea and biscuits!

Islands Minister Humza Yousaf speaks to his amendments relating to the national islands plan, saying it would wrong to present islanders with "a pre-populated plan just to tinker edges".

Mr Yousaf is happy to support other amendments in the group.

SNP MSP John Mason speaks to his amendments relating to environmental wellbeing, telling the chamber there are more to islands than people.

Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur says there has been a lively debate around what should be in the National Islands Plan.

Image source, bbc

The Lib Dem MSP welcomes the work done in conjunction with the government on these issues.

His amendments add transport services, improving digital connectivity, reducing fuel poverty and the Crown Estate to section 3 of the Bill.

Green MSP John Finnie tells the chamber all the amendments in this group have his support and explains his amendment on enhancing biosecurity.

Tory MSP Jamie Greene says it is slightly disappointing when we get to Stage 3 and we have to add more things to the list of things included in the Bill.

Mr Greene expresses concern about the definition of 'environmental wellbeing' used in SNP MSP John Mason's amendment.

He suggests it is a "non-specific phrase".

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.

The first grouping of the debate is on 'definitions'.

Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur explains his amendment seeks to create an explicit distinction between inhabited and uninhabited islands.

Islands Minister Humza Yousaf welcomes the member's amendment and says his own seeks to remove a section which is now redundant due to a stage 2 amendment.

Labour MSP Colin Smyth confirms his party supports both amendments.

Both amendments are unanimously agreed.

MSPs will begin debating Stage 3 amendments to the Islands (Scotland) Bill, external.

You will need:

• the Islands (Scotland) Bill as amended at Stage 2, external
• groupings of amendments, external
• marshalled list of amendments , external
• daily list, external
• supplement to the marshalled list, external

After lunch the final debate on the Islands Bill begins - join us at 2pm for the consideration of Stage 3 amendments.

The vote will be taken at 5.45pm.

After that, SNP MSP Joan McAlpine leads a debate on appropriate housing for people with learning disabilities.

Convener Edward Mountain ends the session.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Jamie Greene describes the ageing fleet, a network at capacity and an operator with "no ability to alter decisions" as a "perfect storm".

Are you happy with the status quo, the Tory MSP asks.

"What you've described there is the nature of a contract", replies CalMac's MD.

We are committed to improving the services as we progress through the contract, Mr Drummond adds.

We are doing the best we can with what we have available, he says.

"What I'm hearing is its all outside of our control," Mr Green suggests.

Mr Drummond says CalMac takes responsibility for delivery but does not have control over the fleet.

There needs to be discussion between CalMac, CMAL, Transport Scotland and stakeholders on a long-term strategy for vessels and ports to ensure the service is delivered over the next 20-30 years, he says.

Image source, CalMac

At the start of January, a study looking at the future of ferry services for the Western Isles began.

It is looking at potential improvements such as new timetables, buying new boats, redeploying existing ferries to other routes and upgrading harbours.

Consultants commissioned by Transport Scotland will seek feedback from island communities who rely on the services and also visitors to the isles.

A report on the study will be published next year.

Read more.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Colin Smyth argues rail and ferries could be run by one company and asks if CalMac are considering taking over the ScotRail franchise.

David McGibbon says he has seen Caledonian MacTrain mentioned in the tabloids.

Mr McGibbon points out CalMac has no experience in terms of rail but the company is interested in exploring the possibilities.

He says as a public sector body they will look at this.

Mr Drummond agrees CalMac have indicated their interest in having a discussion with Transport Scotland about operating a rail service.

Turning to timetabling, SNP MSP Kate Forbes asks about opportunities for islanders to commute to the mainland.

We have a much more robust timetable consultation process, Mr Drummond replies.

This is then taken the Transport Scotland to see if they can fund additional sailings or changes to sailings, he clarifies.

The CalMac MD argues the connectivity with rail and buses has improved significantly in the last two years.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Peter Chapman asks about the Scottish Ferries Plan launched in December 2012.

Transport Scotland's Scottish Ferries Services Ferries Plan (2013-2022), external sets out strategic guidance for the provision of ferry services in Scotland over a 10 year period.

Mr Chapman asks what progress CalMac has made with the plan.

Mr Drummond argues much of the plan has been delivered.

Mr Chapman says to some extent the plan is irrelevant as it is embedded in what CalMac does.

"I wouldn't say it was irrelevant," says Mr Drummond, adding that he thinks significantly more traffic is being carried.

He argues the Clansman has knocked back reliability and punctuality, but at 99.5% it is very high.

Mr Chapman commends him for that.

We reported last October that the amount of public money being spent on Scotland's ferry services has more than doubled in the last decade, according to the spending watchdog found.

Audit Scotland said Transport Scotland spending on the ferry links now came to more than £200m.

The body warned a long-term strategy was needed to ensure services continued within the "allocated budget".

The Scottish government said investment in ferries was subject to "strict financial control and management".

Read more here.

SNP MSP John Mason queries the finances around road equivalent tariff (RET).

Mr Dummond says it has led to less revenue going towards CalMac but this was known prior to the bid being made.

Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles highlights the rising number of vehicles using ferries compared to foot passengers.

Has this increase meant people have been unable to board services, he asks.

Mr Drummond explains the car deck and passenger deck are separate.

There are capacity issues on the car deck specifically, he explains.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Colin Smyth says it is clear the current fleet is not fit for purpose.

Mr Drummond argues the fleet is fit for purpose now but accepts more resilience needs to be brought in.

The CalMac MD calls for an investment plan over the next 20 years for both ferries and ports.

Mr Smyth asks about the 23 year old Isle of Lewis ferry and asks about health impacts of vibrations in the ageing vessel.

Mr Drummond insists: "As a company we take health and safety as our number one priority."

The company is looking at improving vessels, he explains.

We have been searching the market for six years and no vessels have been found, Mr Drummond explains.

Robustness to suit Scottish waters and extremely shallow-draft are required, he adds.

Convener Edward Mountain asks about pricing of ferries.

Mr Drummond says the expected price can run to "tens of millions", depending on whether it is bought or leased.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson relates the story from a friend who says this has been the ninth consecutive Easter where there has been disruption on ferries to and from Islay, suggesting a systemic failure.

Mr Drummond points out traffic growth in Islay in recent years is 50%.

The CalMac MD agrees Islay suffered at the start of Easter due to MV Clansman being out of service.

He says he is very sympathetic with the issues there.