Thank you. That concludes general questions. The next item of business is First Minister's

questions. Question number one, I call Douglas Ross. Thank you very much, Presiding Officer, and for the

opportunity for each party to make some remarks about D-D-D.Ey. Eighty years ago today, British soldiers

joined those from America, Canada and other nations to board planes, ships and landing craft

to begin the liberation of Europe. The men who were parachuted into Normandy

were landed at Gold, Juneau, Sord, Omaha or Utah beaches on the 6th of June, headed into danger

and uncertainty. They were met with mines,

barbed wires and the guns of the German defenders. 4,414 of the men involved in

Opportunity Neptune alone would lose their lives. But their sacrifice and the brave efforts of all those individuals on that historic day played

a key part in the downfall of Nazism and ensuring the freedom and democracy for Western

Europe.

On this day, the 80th anniversary, and as the veterans of that day become fewer and fewer, and the event passes

from memory to history, our need to remember their heroism becomes ever more important. So today

and always, we will remember them. Thank you.

I ask the Deputy First Minister, does she agree that granting new oil and gas licenses for the North Sea is essential not only for our energy security, but to protect tens of thousands of jobs here in Scotland.

Deputy First Minister.

Well, I start, by echoing Douglas Ross's comments.

Today is a day for reflection on the sacrifice and the bravery of all those who served during the Second World War, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice and laid down their lives for us in pursuit of a better world.

And the youthful faces that we have seen in the photographs this morning with the TV coverage stay with us and have certainly reminded me of my loved ones. Were it not

for the courageous actions of those brave men and women, we would not enjoy the freedoms which

we now take for granted, including the freedom to debate and disagree this very afternoon.

We owe them a huge debt of gratitude. As we mark the 80th anniversary

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