Chamber and committees

Thank you. There is a list of questions that members want to ask.

I would like to stick with fares. I will bring in Mark Ruskell briefly and then come back to you.

I am just looking to see whether everyone agrees with Councillor Robertson.

Sorry, but I am just clarifying something in my brain. There is still time to influence the outcome of the connectivity plan, so your disappointment should probably be directed towards getting further engagement in that. That is my understanding. I notice that everyone is nodding, so no doubt you will tell the relevant people exactly what you want to be in it.

The deputy convener has a question.

Agenda item 5 is consideration of a statutory instrument that has been laid under the negative procedure, which means that its provisions will come into force unless the Parliament agrees to a motion to annul them. No motion to annul has been lodged.

As members have no comments, does the committee agree that it does not wish to make any further recommendations in relation to the instrument?

Members indicated agreement.

Item 2 is consideration of a draft statutory instrument. I welcome Lorna Slater, the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity. Thank you for joining us today. I also welcome from the Scottish Government Carolyn Boyd, who is a solicitor; Charles Holmes, who is head of extended producer responsibility; and Tirion Rees Davies, who is senior policy officer for extended producer responsibility.

The instrument is laid under the affirmative procedure, which means that Parliament must approve it before it comes into force. Following the evidence session, the committee will be invited, under the next agenda item, to consider a motion to approve the instrument. I remind everyone that officials can speak under this item but not in the debate that follows.

I invite the minister to make a short opening statement.

I am sorry, minister. I missed that aside.

We will continue with agenda item 2, so you can tell me how to appeal it.

Are there any contributions from members?

If you want to come in, you can, Liam—it is a debate.

I take your comments, Ms Dunbar. I suppose we are at opposite ends of the spectrum on SEPA, Jackie, but that is where we are.

If there are no other contributions, I ask the minister to sum up and respond to the debate.