ALL is well in Scotland.

There are no burning issues and urgent problems that require the attention of our parliamentarians.

Job done, everyone is happy and living in harmony.

That is the only conclusion I can draw from yesterday's Scottish Government-led debate on the fact that it's one year to go until the Ryder Cup tees off at Gleneagles.

Two and half hours they spent on that one. An entire afternoon dedicated to politicians swapping anecdotes, memories and quips about whacking a ball about with a stick.

Two and a half hours, while a debate about safety in the offshore oil and gas sector was squeezed into Member's business over lunchtime with less than an hour allocated.

It's not just two and a half hours of public time and money down the Swanee.

The MSPs took time to write and prepare their 'speeches'. Sports Minister, Shona Robison, will no doubt have utilised the expertise of her departmental civil servants.

Yes, it was agreed the Ryder Cup will bring money into the country, yes it will give Scotland a great public showcase and, yes, golf isn't a bad thing.

Tourism is vital for Scotland and golf is a major driver (pun intended) in attracting visitors.

So too is food and drink, and while listening to MSP after MSP without a hint of embarrassment tell us about their golf swing or their favourite Ryder Cup moments, I was left wondering if they had decided to merge the two.

Because I haven't heard so much mince in a long time.

The SNP's Chic Brodie told us he scored a 70 in a recent round and how he had "an old man's swing.

Chic, I - and I suspect millions of others - couldn't care less about your swing.

This was a debate they could have held in the pub, in their own time.

Those two and half hours could and should have been devoted to more serious debates. Like, why unemployment still blights a generation; or why tens of thousands of new homes are still required, or why welfare cuts are still pushing people into debt.

At least Labour MSP Neil Findlay was honest enough to say this debate wasn't the best use of parliamentary time. He admitted the Ryder Cup didn't fill his mail bag from constituents, before he too did his parliamentary duties and waffled on, and on.

It's also now less than one year to go till the Commonwealth Games, held in these parts.

I'm sure our athletes will do well in the medal table, but if we want to win a few more then lets' introduce talking as a Games sport.

Because our MSPs proved yesterday that they can talk for Scotland.