Chamber and committees

I have a few questions, if I may ask them without hogging the limelight at the end. Dag Hole, what happens when there is disruption and a ferry breaks down? Do those four companies have the ability to respond to that by moving ships around to fill in for breakdowns?

That is very illuminating. If there is anything that either of you think that we have missed, I am happy to give you a couple of minutes to add anything before we bring this part of the meeting to a close. I do not normally do that but I think that it is important to hear your contributions today.

That is interesting. Harald Høyem, do you want to say anything?

Welcome back, everyone. I want to clarify something that I should have addressed when we were considering the statutory instrument earlier. We will have to report the outcome of the instrument in due course and I look for the committee to delegate authority to me, as convener, to finalise the report for publication. Are you all happy with that?

Members indicated agreement.

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the fifth meeting in 2023 of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee. The first item on the agenda is a decision on whether to take items 6 and 7 in private. Item 6 is consideration of the evidence that we will hear today as part of our inquiry into a modern and sustainable ferry service for Scotland. Item 7 is consideration of our work programme. Do members agree to take those items in private?

Members indicated agreement.

There is a huge amount of supposition about SEPA generating funds to fund the organisation. What you have said is that SEPA has to do that because it is the one that needs to do it, but what I have said to you is that it does not have the resources and the capability to do its current job. You can say one thing, but the fact of the matter is another. Can you clarify that for me, please?

Okay. That is helpful. Thank you.

We will move to agenda item 3, which is the formal consideration of motion S6M-07583, calling for the committee to recommend approval of the Environmental Regulation (Enforcement Measures) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2023.

I invite the minister to move the motion.

Motion moved,

That the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee recommends that the Environmental Regulation (Enforcement Measures) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2023 be approved.—[Lorna Slater]

We are not agreed. There will be a division.

For

Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP)
Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP)
Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (SNP)
Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green)

Against

Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con)

Abstentions

Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con)

Motion agreed to.

That the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee recommends that the Environmental Regulation (Enforcement Measures) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2023 be approved.

Thank you very much, Moraig. “Regular” and “reliable” are words that we like to hear.

We have managed to re-establish the connection with David Hibbert. Dangerous Shetland got in first on the fact that it needs the ability to have more people come to Shetland. I will ask the question that sparked that. Are you happy with the NorthLink service to Orkney, and is it doing all that your island communities need?

Thank you. I am sorry to have come in on that, Jackie. It is back to you for your questions.