Chamber and committees

Okay, the report will be circulated to all members of the committee once the clerks have drawn it up.

The aim is to have the report completed by the end of this week.

Welcome back. Our next evidence session is part of our inquiry into a modern and sustainable ferry service for Scotland. I refer members to the papers for this item.

This is our seventh evidence session for our inquiry. Today, the committee will hear from two panels of local authorities that either operate ferries or have important ferry services in their area—or, indeed, both.

Our first panel will explore two key issues: the interisland ferries in the Shetland and Orkney groups, and the northern isles ferry service, which is let and managed by Scottish ministers and which links the northern isles to the Scottish mainland. I am pleased to welcome Councillor Moraig Lyall, chair of ZetTrans and the environment and transport committee at Shetland Islands Council; and—when we can re-establish the connection—David Hibbert, technical superintendent for marine services at Orkney Islands Council. Thank you both for accepting our invitation.

Moraig, I guess that, as you are here in person and on your own at the moment, Shetland will dominate our lines of questioning. I am sure that you will be delighted about that. It is a lonely shift, sitting at that end of the table on your own.

Committee members have various questions. I will ask the first question, if I may. It is a simple one, I guess. Are you happy with NorthLink Ferries, and does it provide the service that is expected on your islands?

We have lots of questions.

Sorry, I did not want to put you on the spot. I was just trying to say that, when the tendering exercise for the northern isles was put together, it came in one bundle. NorthLink got it, and it seems to be a logical fit. You have answered the question. David, do you agree with that?

Perfect. Thank you.

May I just clarify something? David said that cutting the ferry services would be the last thing that you would do, because they are so critical. Is that what you have just said, as well—that you cannot afford to cut the ferry services, so something else will have to suffer?

It would be helpful to the committee if you could provide costings for replacing your internal ferry fleet and any other costings, so that we can consider that as part of our evidence.

Sorry, I did not want to take away from what you were saying, Monica.

We were going to come to tunnels during our discussion—

Thank you. That has been a really interesting session. Thank you for taking part and working through the connection problems to start with. Thank you, Councillor Lyall, for holding the fort until the representative from Orkney was able to join.