Chamber and committees

Yes.

Hugh Dignon said that the depth would be considered. Is it in the public interest, however, to arbitrarily define something as either 40cm or 50cm? What is the difference?

What is your scientific basis for that?

Are you concerned that individuals who apply for a licence in good faith will fall foul of the law if a correct assessment has not been made of whether the land is peatland and of how many licences are needed? It may not be practical to probe an area. There may be different depths of peat.

I have one last quick question. Can I have some clarification on the Climate Change Committee’s position, which you said you use as your scientific basis?

Convener, my question is very similar to yours; it is about the R100 programme being completed by 2028. Can I have some reassurance from the cabinet secretary that there will be progress before five years of the plan has expired?

Persuade me differently.

Okay. Can you clarify whether any port development projects have been affected, cancelled or delayed because of the increasing costs of the two Ferguson Marine ferries?

I am also interested in whether there are any conflicting policies in your portfolio that are likely to have an effect on the delivery of the national islands plan.

Cabinet secretary, what is the total spend on the administration of the national islands plan and on the salaries of those involved, including external consultants, in it? How many staff does that fund? On the basis that few milestones have been met on significant policy aims, such as on connectivity and depopulation, are you able to demonstrate that that is value for money?