Seòmar agus comataidhean

I absolutely agree with your comments about the progress on the carbon-neutral islands project. I have visited quite a few projects and have seen the difference that they are making. Will the feedback that is provided on the competitive bid process and other elements of the funding be taken into account as things move forward in future years?

I just want to dig into that a little more. The regulations, in effect, freeze the way in which everything operates at the moment. Is the minister saying that, between the introduction of the SSI and 2030, he will be open to making changes to the scheme? After all, we have heard the arguments about rebasing and encouraging new entrants. Could further regulations be brought to the committee?

What would be the timescales for consultation and for giving us an opportunity to scrutinise such changes?

Would it be possible for us to get a bit more information and to consider the SSI at a future meeting instead?

I am talking about the cliff edge and decisions needing to be made by a certain point. If the committee wants a bit more information, will that cause an issue with payments?

Was there a discussion about how many years to include in this SSI, and why was the number that is in it reached?

So, why is it six years?

Yes.

I think that I have asked everything that I can ask.

Four years would also be quite a bit of flexibility, would it not?