Tory MSP Maurice Corry highlights the devastating effect cystic fibrosis has.

The damage sustained to sufferers' lungs is progressive, meaning the threat of lung disease increases over time, he explains.

There are approximately 900 people in Scotland with cystic fibrosis, with a median age of 21, Mr Corry highlights.

The Tory MSP notes the average life expectancy of someone with cystic fibrosis is just 31.

Orkambi is able to slow the decline of the lungs, he states.

Mr Corry points to estimates from the Cystic Fibrosis Trust that Orkambi could be effective for 45% of Scots with the condition.

Tory MSP Maurice Corry uses his motion to highlight:

• cystic fibrosis affects over 900 people in Scotland
• in 2016, half of all people who died from the genetic condition were aged under 31

Mr Corry says Orkambi, which is manufactured by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and treats the homozygous delf508 mutation, which around 50% of people with in the UK with the condition have, is the second drug to be licensed for use in dealing with cystic fibrosis.

Image source, SPL

The main function of this treatment is to keep a healthy balance of salt and water in the organs, particularly the lungs.

The Tory MSP says, according to 2016 UK Cystic Fibrosis Registry Report, there are 336 people in Scotland who could benefit from having access to this.

However it is not currently available via the NHS, despite, it understands, the Scottish Medicines Consortium noting that it was a beneficial treatment and NICE recognising it as an important treatment.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Tory MSP Maurice Corry will now lead a member's debate calling for the drug Orkambi to be made available on the NHS to treat cystic fibrosis sufferers.

Image source, bbc

The motion and amendments from the Gypsy/Travellers debate are all agreed to, with only the Green amendment not being passed unanimously.

It was agreed to with 76 yes votes for and 27 no votes.

Equalities and Communities Secretary Angela Constance says the Scottish government and COSLA are taking forward joint work on housing, because it will require local knowledge and local accountability.

She confirms her officials are to investigate the innovative use of stopping-off sites in Leeds.

On education, Ms Constance highlights a scheme in Larkhall which helps young Gypsy/Travellers access flexible learning opportunities.

Non-school based opportunities already exist in our education system but we need to make sure these exist across the country, she argues.

Addressing the Gypsy/Traveller community, she says "you have every right" to the same services and opportunities as the settled community and have your voices heard.

Tory MSP Jamie Greene highlights the "plethora of issues" facing the Gypsy/Traveller community.

Let us celebrate the great sense of pride in the traditions of the community, he says, adding the MSPs should take the public with them.

Mr Greene points to health inequalities among Gypsy/Travellers and asks what is being done to address this.

The Gypsy/Traveller community receives a disproportionate amount of media coverage, much of which is negative, the Tory MSP highlights.

He explains his party is unable to support the Green amendment because of its wording, highlighting it does not refer to suitable and adequate sites.

Concluding, Mr Green calls for "less words, more action please."

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Mary Fee welcomes the Gypsy/Travellers to the gallery today.

Ms Fee says: "We should celebrate the rich culture of the Gypsy/Travller community."

She praises the work of Davie Donaldson and his leadership of the Young Gypsy/Traveller Assembly.

Image source, bbc

The Labour MSP points to Mr Donaldon's comments that nothing has changed in 17 years and she calls for action not rhetoric.

She points to the first cross-party group on Gypsy/Travellers tomorrow, which she will chair.

"It is time for the Scottish government to show real leadership."

Ms Fee calls for the government to publish its much overdue national strategy for Gypsy/Travellers.

Green MSP John Finnie says while he does not doubt all MSPs wish to support the community, it will be actions that evidence this care.

He confirms his party's support for all amendments in the debate.

Image source, Davie Donaldson

"Davie Donaldson is a young Scottish Traiveller.

"He has a shock o Scandinavian yella hair, paired wi a pale, honest face. He is a student at Aiberdeen University, an a spokesperson fir young Traivellers.

"Although Davie is nae mair nor twenty year auld, he is richt at the hert o a debate that has raged fir centuries.

"Whit exactly is the place an whit are the richts o Scotland’s Traiveller population?"

Read The Herald's story here., external

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton says Gypsy/Travellers have a long cultural history spanning a millennia in Scotland.

The nomadic nature of the communities lifestyle means they are more likely to be disengaged from public life, he states.

This has often caused them to be ignored by politicians, Mr Coleh-Hamilton suggests.

Image source, bbc

Green MSP John Finnie says the Gypsy/Traveller movement is root and branch part of Scotland, the UK and Europe.

Mr Finnie wishes the ministerial working group well in their work.

He argues that talking about housing, meaning bricks and mortar, are the issue, when it is accommodation that must be discussed and good stopping off places are the key.

The way of life must be supported and this requires a change of mindset when discussing Gypsy/Travellers.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon highlights the life expectancy of Gypsy/Traveller men is ten years less than the settle community.

She also states Gypsy/Traveller children are more likely to have no educational qualifactions.

And, "heartbreakingly," Gypsy/Traveller mothers are 20 times more likely to have experienced the death of a child, Ms Lennon adds.

The Labour MSP welcomes joint efforts with COSLA to improve the provision of sites.

Image source, bbc

Ms Lennon cites one family being told to get a cat by a warden when rats were found on the site.

The Labour MSP goes on to say the same source told of a good warden elsewhere and lambastes the post-code lottery Gypsy/Traveler face in terms of site conditions.

She welcomes actions taken by the government including the setting up of the ministerial advisory group on Gypsy/Travellers.

The Labour MSP also welcomes her colleague Mary Fee's setting up of a cross-party group on Gypsy/Travellers.

She gives her full support to the government motion and all the amendments.

Ms Wells highlights issues with accessing services due to the lack of a permanent address.

Gypsy/Travellers consequently experience health inequalities and have lower life expectancy than the rest of the population, she states.

On education, the Tory MSP calls for work to look into flexibility around school-based learning.

She also expresses concern about bullying faces by young Gypsy/Travellers in schools.

Image source, Davie Donaldson

Discrimination against Gypsy/Travellers in Scotland has become the last form of "acceptable racism", a young campaigner claims.

Davie Donaldson, 19, said the public's view of Gypsy/Travellers had "remained stagnant" since the 1980s.

He said travellers faced discrimination in education and were often being prevented from setting up camps.

The Scottish Parliament's equalities committee's research showed "entrenched and stubbornly high levels of discrimination" against the community.

Mr Donaldson is in the gallery today for this debate.

Read more here.

A Conservative MP apologised last August for saying "tougher enforcement against Gypsy travellers" would be his number one priority if he was prime minister.

But Moray representative Douglas Ross insisted that the issue of illegal camps was an important one which people should not shy away from debating.

Mr Ross came under fire from human rights groups and the travelling community over the comments.

He said he did not have time to provide context in a "quick-fire interview".