Marine Renewables (Saltire Prize)

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at on 10 November 2015.

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Photo of Fergus Ewing Fergus Ewing Scottish National Party

I have always been more interested in results—in particular, the results of success in the marine sector—than in reputations. In that regard, I am delighted that Scotland is leading the way with companies such as Albatern, Nova Innovation and Atlantis Resources. Indeed, the Atlantis corporation is the architect of the world’s largest tidal array—which is currently being deployed, as Mr McArthur well knows—and whose success will give the most tremendous fillip to a sector that has had hard times, as the member well knows.

In addition, as well as the headline prize there are saltire-related activities such as the saltire prize lecture and medal, the junior saltire prize, which promotes activity and innovation among schoolchildren and students, and the saltire prize website.

Lastly, it was always anticipated that the prize would be awarded in 2017 and there has been no allocation in the existing budget in respect of meeting the cost of paying out the prize. Therefore, we have achieved all the success with none of the cost.