Chamber and committees

Our purpose is not to carry out an investigation. We cannot do that. I feel guilty saying that, but that is just the way it is. We cannot do that.

I support the recommendation that Alexander Stewart has just made. I would add that specific reference in the letter to the minister could be made to, and perhaps a copy appended of, Alasdair Allan’s submission, because he makes several very good points about the value of having island residents on boards relating to ferries, transportation and health.

Alasdair Allan goes into a couple of reasons for that, which I will briefly set out. First, he says that organisations are improved by having people who rely on the services rather than outsiders who do not use the services. That is a commonsense point and seems to be a practical example of the benefits of having local residents on the boards rather than—without being pejorative—outsiders.

Secondly, he says:

“Having ... island-based board members would also make for a better flow of ideas from communities at an early stage, rather than consultation taking place after decisions have, essentially, already been made.”

That, too, is a very good point, convener, and one that perhaps we could ask that the minister bear in mind with further future appointments to public bodies.

In backing that recommendation, I note that the information that we have been provided with states that there have been sudden cardiac deaths at races where caffeine gum was promoted, although there are no investigations of any potential link. Scottish Athletics and sportscotland have warned of health risks. I mention that because, plainly, if cardiovascular risks are involved and death has occurred, that is a very serious matter. We should get that further evidence in some detail.

Thanks for coming today, Stephanie. It must be very hard.

You are doing very well. We appreciate that this is, as I think you said, every parent’s nightmare. I think we all feel that very profoundly for you.

It seems to me that you have been very badly let down by people who were supposed to help you. We have not heard from the police, so we have not heard what they have to say, but it feels that way to me.

Yes. I think we heard that Mr O’Kane was very helpful to you.

I am not in the same party but that does not really matter. We can imagine that he would have done that.

This next question might be too difficult for you to answer.

And there was no apparent desire to communicate either.

That was very good that he did that.