Chamber and committees

Is there any reflection from NorthLink Ferries? You said that weather is less of a disruption for you. Do you have any comments about masters’ judgments and changes in the law over the past 10 to 20 years?

Would Robbie Drummond welcome a more strategic approach? As Mark Ruskell indicated, climate change is happening. What does that mean for our seas and the experience of them? Who takes responsibility for that? Is that simply left to you as an operator to deal with on an operational basis, or do you engage with Transport Scotland on what future needs might be? If we have different types of ferries, such as electric, battery and hydrogen ferries—who knows?—where will the weather analysis come from? Who is leading on that? Who should lead on that?

It is clear that churches are concerned. There are many concerns. The fact that, following the transitional period, criminal penalties will apply for non-compliance is of concern to church trustees. Three specified individuals would have to be named. Churches change their office bearers, as do various organisations, so the anxiety is understandable.

I think that you are saying that you think that the extra year will give them more time to do what you wanted them to do in the first place. I am a bit concerned that there has not been the level of engagement that there could have been. I understand that the churches are saying that they have not had a response since their meeting with you in September. Therefore, I think that there is a genuine issue here.

I recognise the need for openness and transparency in land reform, which I am very supportive of, but I think that there are some practical difficulties. Like many organisations that have come through the pandemic, churches are having to re-establish themselves and so on. Can you reassure us that you will continue to engage with the churches in order to work out a way forward, so that the new requirement does not overburden them or worry them unnecessarily?

Is building bigger ferries the natural evolution because those are more profitable?

Harald Høyem, what is your view on whether ferry operators prefer to have a large vessel with fewer sailings or two or more vessels that operate? Are staffing issues leading to bigger vessels, as we have just heard from Dag Hole? What is your experience?

Has that perhaps been lacking to date?

I put the same questions to NorthLink, and you can decide who might be most appropriate to answer. What role have you had with project Neptune? Do you have a view on what would be the best operating and organisational model for the future of our ferry service in Scotland?

Can you share any early employability themes that you have identified to date, following the work from last year?

We would be very interested in that.

Pam Duncan-Glancy’s Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill is making its way through Parliament. What engagement have you or your officials had on that, minister, in trying to influence the bill, and what employability themes will you support within that bill?

We will certainly look at that.

I will pick up on the points that Graham Simpson raised. We were struck by the evidence that we have heard that young people’s expectations can be set really early. That applies to all young people, but particularly to young people with disabilities. You have referred to culture. The culture among those who work in early years and primary education and the connection with parents are really important. What interventions can take place to ensure that everyone knows young people’s capabilities for the future and that they just have to be given support? It is about having a culture of expectation that young people with disabilities can do things, that the world is there for them and that they will be able to take part in employment. Are we doing enough in that area?