Chamber and committees

Before you bring in Dermot Rhatigan, minister, I want to ask about the concept of carbon miles becoming more of a factor in the private and public sectors. What engagement are you having on that? Clearly such an approach makes sense; it will help to deliver net zero, and it is something that is not just local, but national and international. Where are we in Scotland in looking at that issue?

Rob, what is your view on that balance between freight and passengers? I will reflect on some of what we have heard already. We were familiar with “fly and drive” but, from a net zero point of view, “sail and drive”—with electric cars on the other side—might be the way forward if large numbers of family groups are going over to the islands. What does the future look like for you?

Clearly, we want strategic alignment that anticipates future opportunities and has the flexibility to get there. There are various industries. Let us take the northern isles in particular. You raised issues about moving cattle at certain times of the year. What can be done to improve planning of transportation not only of existing freight but, as Mark Ruskell mentioned, for the new industries—although they are current industries—in energy and space? What does the future look like for the northern isles? What would be optimal?

You are asking for a more sophisticated, calibrated, strategic and flexible system between industry, business and transport.

I see that you are nodding in response to that.

Thank you. I will move on to ask Peter Clark about Islay, and the whisky industry, in particular.

Clearly, we are seeing great successes with the whisky industry in Islay. The industry is very much dependent on the Islay brand—the successes depend on the island itself—but with, as we currently have, a subsidised CalMac service, the public purse is, in effect, subsidising freight for the profitable whisky trade.

Is there a role for the whisky trade not only in helping to manage demand, as we have heard, but in identifying where subsidies should be? Would the trade be more interested in a direct dependable and reliable freight service that might happen through private tender, for example?

I have lots of questions—I am sorry, convener. I will come to all the witnesses, but will ask Martin Johnson a question first.

The committee is conducting the inquiry so that we can inform our view on the forthcoming connectivity plans, so I will focus on future thinking. We want sustainable economic growth and repopulation, and we want to deliver net zero. That is the frame. I see that the witnesses are all nodding at that, which is helpful.

I will ask about specific links and areas, but first I have a question for Martin Johnson. What involvement has Highlands and Islands Enterprise had in the development of the forthcoming connectivity plan?

I will switch to the Ullapool-Stornoway route and freight businesses on it. What would success in the future look like for them in terms of the criteria that we have mentioned?

I take it that you want to make sure that the routes are attractive to the new workforce that will be needed for the new industries?

I might contradict you as well, Martin. You talked about perhaps looking at main links for transport being hubs, and you used the example of Aberdeen. However, shorter ferry crossings with renewable energy electric or, eventually, hydrogen vehicles on the other side of the ferry journey would be a better net zero solution than would everything coming into major hubs. Is that something that you are aware of? That contradicts a wee bit what you were saying earlier.

We should look at the issue. It was not one that I was necessarily familiar with, but it is quite clear from the petition that it impacts on a number of people.

There might well be understandable explanations for the situation, but I do not think that things are entirely clear. Although the background paper that we have received has been very helpful, I do not want the petition to be readily dismissed, simply because we do not fully understand the reasons for the current requirements. I recognise the reserved nature of some of this matter, but that should not prevent us taking a closer look at it.