Ruth Maguire
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“As well as the casework that I receive from citizens who are not currently having their needs met by the health and social care services, I have direct experience of living with a diagnosis that will not be cured. My life will be shortened—I do not like saying that out loud, especially in front of you lot, but it is a fact.”
“I share that thought in the full knowledge that people in my situation are not a homogeneous group and because I want colleagues to consider, if it weighs so heavily on me, as someone in a position of financial privilege with a large, loving family who are able to care for each other— indeed, as someone whose job it has been for 10 years…”
“Are we really going to be a country where the state funds dying while hospice care relies on charity? Consent, choice, free will and autonomy are not experienced equally by all.”
“I start by sharing my respect for Liam McArthur; I find him to be a good parliamentarian and a good man. However, I must also say that it remains a fact that consent, choice, free will and autonomy are not being experienced equally by all.”
“I did not get into politics to talk about myself and my own feelings; this is certainly not a natural space for me to be in, arguing against something that I am fearful of rather than for something that I believe will bring about a positive change or protect people.”
“Furthermore, the substances to be used and whether any use would be unlicensed or off-label are still to be determined. It is possible that they could be substances that a pharmacist cannot supply—for example, a schedule 1 controlled drug—which could make that restrictive definition difficult.”
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Every one of 171 lines we hold for Ruth Maguire, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 4 of 4.
“We heard that a good convener creates a culture of interest, curiosity and collaboration. To enhance their role, we recommend that a programme for support for conveners is put in place from the start of session 7 of Parliament, which could be co-ordinated by the Conveners Group. On the question of elected conveners, we learned that that system has operated effectively in other legislatures and that being elected by the whole Parliament can bring confidence and visibility to the role. It also gives a sense of legitimacy and accountability for a convener for the activities of their committee. It can also assist in the perception by the public that committees operate independently from the Government and have a distinct identity. John Mason: Will the member give way? Martin Whitfield: I will give way again.”
“Martin Whitfield: John Mason is right, because the challenge with committees is that they are established at a stage when we are already aware of the gender balance within the Parliament and within political parties. The Government’s very laudable and correct aim of having a gender balance in its ministerial portfolios places the pressure on the remaining members. We heard a substantial amount of evidence on the challenge for the Parliament with regard to the workloads of female members. I agree that there is a tension in relation to where, upstream, that has to be put right so that what comes out in the committees by way of a gender balance can most easily be achieved. I turn to the key role of the convener, the person who sits at the helm of the committee and plays a crucial role in its effectiveness.”
“Martin Whitfield: I am grateful to Ruth Maguire for her intervention. I think that accountability is very important. On my first reading of the letter, I have the sense that any way in which we can demonstrate accountability and bring it to the notice of the public will be crucial in underpinning the move in the next session towards what the gender-sensitive audit has shown needs to happen. I give way to Mr Mason. John Mason: On the point about committees reflecting the gender balance of the whole Parliament, would Mr Whitfield accept that there is a particular problem if, as has happened under the Scottish National Party, the governing party creates an equal balance of male and female Government ministers, because that puts extra pressure on the remaining members of that party, which becomes, in effect, more male?”
“Will the member give way? Martin Whitfield: I will give way to my deputy convener and then I will come to Mr Mason. Ruth Maguire: I am grateful to Martin Whitfield for giving way. I should say that I make this intervention not as the deputy convener of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee, but as an individual MSP. Martin Whitfield referred to the recommendation that the bureau give a statement when it has not been possible to achieve a gender balance on a committee. Like me, he will have received a letter from the group this morning, which suggests that that statement should be made in the chamber. Does he agree that that would bring a level of accountability and scrutiny to whether we are achieving the aspiration of gender equality on our committees?”
“The Scottish Government has not been closely involved in the specifics of the support for the feasibility study on the pilot house, but I will instruct officials to speak directly with the council to learn more about the issue and provide the member with a response by correspondence. Forth Valley College (Alloa Campus) 3.”
“This week, I met a community group with a particular interest in restoring the pilot house. Although the pilot house appeared in plans for the great harbour and the maritime mile in Irvine, I understand that an expected feasibility study on restoring it might not be funded. Does the minister, like me, recognise the potential in protecting such unique heritage sites? Further to that, does he recognise that, when communities’ expectations and aspirations are raised in respect of growth deals, it is crucial that they are met? Ivan McKee: I understand that the great harbour project, which has been led by North Ayrshire Council, intends to deliver improvements to the setting and facade of the pilot house as part of a wider project that aims to create a unique waterfront destination in Irvine.”
“The pathway provides that all women “should be given the opportunity to discuss their maternity journey with their midwife” prior to their discharge from maternity services, and that “any appropriate referrals to other services should be made at this time.” I encourage any women with any worries or concerns about either their current pregnancy or their previous birth experience to speak to the midwife in the first instance, to ensure that they receive the appropriate care and support, tailored to their individual needs and circumstances.”
“Any negative childbirth experience can have short- term and long-term adverse consequences for women and their babies. It has been linked to difficulties with breastfeeding, poor self-rated health, post-traumatic stress and post-natal depression. What assurance can the cabinet secretary provide that support is available to women who, due to feeling fearful or being in physical distress, have had a negative experience of childbirth? Neil Gray: Ruth Maguire is right. That is why, in February this year, we published our pathway of maternity care, to set out the core care that all women and their babies should receive during the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal periods.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what representations non-governmental organisations have made to it regarding its work to support humanitarian assistance in Palestine. (S6O- 05030)”
“Amendment 105 agreed to. Section 38A—Social landlords: qualifying repairs Amendment 294 moved—[Mark Griffin]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is that amendment 294 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) [Proxy vote cast by Willie Rennie] Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 84, Against 21, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 293 disagreed to. After section 38 Amendment 105 moved—[Pam Duncan- Glancy]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 105 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) [Proxy vote cast by Willie Rennie] Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 25, Against 80, Abstentions 0.”
“I met the cabinet secretary before and after the amendment deadlines and made it very clear that I was happy to try to work together. We need to address the issue and we have the opportunity to address it in the bill. We need legislation. I will be raising the issue in further amendments in later groups. I urge members to vote for amendment 293. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 293 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed. 19:45 Edward Mountain: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app would not connect. I would have voted no. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Mountain. I will make sure that that is recorded.”
“The amendment would extend from three to six months the period for which a person may remain in a let property in a case where the person is qualified to succeed to a Scottish secure tenancy but has declined the tenancy. I support the amendment, which would provide a person with additional time to find alternative accommodation. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I discourage colleagues from having conversations in the chamber while members are on their feet. I call Katy Clark to wind up and to press or withdraw amendment 293. Katy Clark: I will press amendment 293. It is clear that there is a gap in the law in this area, as social landlords have highlighted, and the changes in the bill bring the issue to the fore.”
“They would place an additional requirement in that a carer who wants to succeed to a tenancy must be a member of the tenant’s family. Restricting succession in that way would mean that someone who had given up their principal home to care for someone, informed the landlord of that and met the qualifying period would be unable to remain in the tenancy, which could result in them being made homeless. I think that that is very unfair, so I will not be supporting those amendments. Finally, in relation to Mark Griffin’s amendment 302, I welcome the constructive discussions with members following stage 2 and have taken into consideration their views and those of Marie Curie and social housing stakeholders.”
“I welcome what the cabinet secretary has said about the implementation of part 2 of the Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Act 2021. Can she give an indication of when that might happen? Màiri McAllan: I understand why the member would want to know that. It is my intention to lay regulations by December this year. I have taken a bit longer with my remarks, because I want to give members the absolute assurance that I have given Katy Clark’s amendment 293 the most thorough consideration that I can. I regret that I am unable to support it. Amendments 232 to 235, which are entirely new at stage 3, would change the existing rights of carers to succeed to a tenancy after the death of a tenant in both the private and social rented sectors.”
“To ask the First Minister, in light of reports of the rising rate of poverty for families with a baby under one and new evidence from Save the Children that increasing best start grant and best start foods payments could significantly reduce the child poverty rate for this priority group, whether the Scottish Government will consider increasing these payments. (S6F-04281)”
“To ask the Scottish Government what work it is doing to support sustainable farming and food production that is based on improving biodiversity. (S6O-04900)”
“I have explored with my ministerial colleagues extensively the range of options that are available to us, and the product of that analysis is what Parliament has before it today. I must act in a lawful fashion at all times. It is an essential obligation, as I set out in the statement that I have given to Parliament today. I reassure Ruth Maguire that every step that I can take is being taken.”
“The crimes of Israel against the Palestinian people demand concrete action from the international community, such as the welcome pause in awards to arms companies outlined by the First Minister. Boycott, divestment and sanctions are a peaceful and effective way to encourage compliance with international law. Will he instruct his Government to ensure that it is deploying against Israel, and all those profiting from the genocide, every single non-violent punitive measure at its disposal until such a time as Israel ends its brutal, violent and illegal occupation of Palestine, genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity? The First Minister: I have set out a package of measures in the economic, humanitarian and diplomatic space that are within my responsibilities to undertake.”