Chamber and committees

David Hibbert, do you have anything to add on that? Correct me if I am wrong, but I think that you are more about causeways than tunnels.

Russell, do you want to come in?

To wrap things up, I want to ask about the islands connectivity plan and how engaged you have been in that. My understanding is that there have been consultations on individual aspects and that there is a plan for vessels and ports, which is separate to the rest of the plan. I want to get your insight into how the islands connectivity plan is being developed. What is your role in that? Is the plan progressing in the right way or do better or more fundamental questions need to be asked as part of the development? I will start with Councillor Robertson.

I want to ask about the equivalent UK regulations. The UK Government decided not to go down a civil penalties route. Can you explain why the Scottish Government’s thinking on that is different?

Right. Has industry fed back on that?

I would appreciate the opportunity to have a look at that in advance of the next meeting.

Thank you.

Can I get a Highland Council perspective from Murray Bain?

You have already touched on some of your experiences of working with the other resettlement programmes, and Pat Togher talked about the experience of dealing with PTSD among people who have come here through the Afghan and Syrian schemes, as well as among the wider asylum-seeking population in Glasgow. Are there any lessons learned from, in particular, the Syrian and Afghan schemes that have fed into the way you approach Ukrainian displaced people? I recognise that there is a difference in people’s circumstances, but is there anything that would be useful to share with the committee about the way in which the schemes have been running, how they are being resourced and how you are configuring teams to welcome and support people?

My final question is about the criteria for reopening the supersponsor scheme. Are those close to being met? Is there a sense that they could be met at some point? I guess that we all hope that there will not be a need to reopen that scheme, but there is so much uncertainty in this situation. What is COSLA’s view on that?