Summary

  • The Europe committee is taking evidence on Brexit and Northern Ireland

  • Extensive coverage of first minister's questions

  • A Labour MSP leads a debate on women in STEM

  • MSPs debate the Budget Bill for the first time

Live Reporting

Craig Hutchison and Louise Wilson

  1. Police and officials at Irish border could become targets

    Dr Katy Hayward

    The convener notes there has been a return to talk of technological solutions for the Irish border.

    Has there been any advance in technology that would put this on the table, she asks.

    Dr Katy Hayward says technology is used to facilitate customs and make declarations.

    It cannot look inside the goods crossing the border to tell what's in a transport, she adds.

    At some point there is going to have to be feet on the ground to inspect goods at the border, but these officials and police protecting them may become a target she warns.

  2. Background: Backstop is 'part and parcel' of the deal says Barnier

    Michel Barnier speaks in the European Parliament, as MEP Nigel Farage takes notes

    Michel Barnier speaks in the European Parliament, as MEP Nigel Farage takes notes

    The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier says the Irish backstop is "part and parcel" of the UK's Brexit deal and will not be renegotiated.

    Speaking at the European Parliament, Mr Barnier said it was a "realistic solution" to preventing a hard border.

    British MPs voted earlier this month against the deal agreed by the UK and EU during 18 months of negotiations.

    Instead, on Tuesday, they voted for PM Theresa May to seek "alternative arrangements" to the backstop.

    Read more here.

  3. 'There is a complexity in the layers of the backstop that has been completely overlooked'

    Witnessesbbc

    Tony Connelly from RTE News says the EU have given a very clear indication that the EU Withdrawal Agreement will not be reopened.

    Mr Connelly adds there is a mismatch between Westminster and Brussels, as the EU thinks the amendment is vague and it doesn't spell things out.

    Dr Katy Hayward from Queens University Belfast tells the committee there are two elements to the backstop.

    The protocol protects the Good Friday agreement and then there are the UK-wide customs arrangement, she explains.

    The academic says there is a complexity in the layers of the backstop that has been completely overlooked.

  4. Background: MPs back May's bid to change deal

    MPs have backed seeking "alternative arrangements" to replace the Irish backstop in Theresa May's Brexit plan.

    The proposal - put forward by Tory MP Sir Graham Brady - had the support of the government and won by 16 votes.

    Theresa May had urged MPs to vote in favour of it, to give her a mandate to return to Brussels and re-open negotiations in order to secure a "legally binding change".

    But the EU has said it will not change the legal text agreed with the UK PM.

    Read more.

  5. And we're off..........

    Panel

    The committee is hearing from:

    • Tony Connelly from RTE News
    • Dr Katy Hayward from Queens University Belfast

  6. But first, some sub leg.....

    The committee is considering the Creative Europe Programme and Europe for Citizens Programme Revocation (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, a UK statutory instrument which requires consent from the Scottish parliament.

    The convener suggests more information from the Scottish government is required and the committee agrees.

  8. Good morning from Holyrood Live!

    Party leadersBBC/PA

    Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live on Thursday 31 January 2019.

    The Europe committee is discussing Brexit and issues relating to the Northern Ireland backstop this morning.

    After general questions, we will provide extensive coverage and reaction of first minister's questions from noon.

    Then Labour MSP Iain Gray will highlight a recent report on women in STEM.

    After lunch is the event we've all been waiting for - the first stage of the Budget Bill.