Seòmar agus comataidhean

The final questions are on keeping pace with European Union environmental standards. I call Monica Lennon.

Good morning, and welcome to the ninth meeting in 2024 of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee. We have apologies from the convener, Edward Mountain, in whose place Graham Simpson is attending as the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party substitute member. I welcome him to the meeting.

Agenda item 1 is a declaration of interests. As this is Mr Simpson’s first meeting as a substitute member, I invite him to declare any relevant interests.

Thank you.

Agenda item 2 is a decision on taking business in private. Do members agree to take in private item 7, which is consideration of the evidence that we will hear under item 5, on environmental governance in Scotland?

Members indicated agreement.

The minister is joined by, from the Scottish Government, Dorothy Cohen, lawyer, and, from Transport Scotland, Gary McIntyre, economic adviser, and Bettina Sizeland, director of bus, accessibility and active travel. Welcome, and thank you for joining us today.

As the instrument has been laid under the affirmative procedure, it cannot come into force unless the Parliament approves it. Following the evidence session with the minister, the committee will be invited, under the next agenda item, to consider a motion to recommend the instrument’s approval. I remind everyone that officials can speak under this item, but not in the debate.

I invite the minister to make an opening statement.

Thank you for setting that out. The next question comes from Graham Simpson.

Monica Lennon wants to come in on the same issue.

Graham Simpson, do you want to ask anything further before we move on?

I think that Mark Ruskell wants to ask a supplementary question on that matter first, Mr Simpson.

Jackie Dunbar has a question on the young persons scheme.