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We expected to take evidence today from the Deputy Minister for Rural Development, Rhona Brankin, on the issues that were raised in the December fisheries conference. I was contacted before the weekend, and involved in discussions yesterday at which it was suggested that it might be appropriate to delay that evidence, to allow Rhona Brankin and her officials to take part in the negotiations relating to the cod recovery plan, which are taking place this week. Those negotiations are pertinent to our discussions and I accepted the minister's apologies for being unable to be here today, given the importance of such negotiations to Scotland's fishing industry.
Yes. I support that suggestion. If anything, it might be even more useful to hear from the minister on 30 January than this week, because she will be able to update us on the talks that are currently under way.
Do we agree to invite the minister to attend the committee on 30 January to discuss those issues?
Given that there will be an Opposition debate on fisheries on Thursday, we should ensure that a full statement on the negotiations is made available to all members of the Parliament before that debate.
I understand that there is no guarantee that it will be possible to report on progress by that time. However, it would be sensible for me to write to the minister with that request, if it were possible for it to be achieved. I will do that.
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