A range of petitions have been presented to MSPs

MSPs want new measures to prevent campaigners from re-submitting petitions that have already been dealt with by the parliamentary process.

Convener of the Petitions Committee Michael McMahon said it was a waste of time and money.

But the Scottish Civic Forum is opposing such curbs.

Leaders of the group, which represents a wide variety of voluntary organisations, insisted that any change should be worded carefully so that the public's right to submit petitions was not affected.

Evidence to MSPs

However, Mr McMahon said he was increasingly concerned and wanted the power to block protesters from presenting petitions again unless a big change had taken place in the issues they are aimed at dealing with.

Members of the Procedures Committee are hearing evidence from him on Tuesday.

When the Scottish Parliament opened in 1999, some critics worried that the Public Petitions Committee would be a gimmick.

Since then it has become an important link between the people and their politicians.

MSPs have dealt with petitions ranging from the Iraq war to eating disorders, the Skye Bridge tolls, detox clinics, fishing limits and the fate of hedgehogs in the Outer Hebrides.