On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Rule 7.3 of standing orders requires members to maintain a "courteous and respectful manner" in the chamber. Is it in keeping with that rule for Des McNulty, who is a member of the party that designed the voting system that elects members of the Parliament, to refer to that voting system as an "assisted places scheme"? He strongly implied that 56 members of the Parliament have no business being in the chamber.
I do not think that Mr McNulty sought to be disrespectful or discourteous; I think that he sought to be funny. [Laughter.] Within our framework, Mr Harvie, I think that that is quite within the normal give and take of debate.
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