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What about you, Dr Maguire?

You have already indicated the difficulties that you experience and you may have indicated that you have stopped trading or trying to negotiate or pursue things with European countries. Have any of you found anything that has in any shape, way or form been an easier process in any area? Is there anything, in any of your organisations, that has a benefit at all? You are struggling to find one. Is there nothing in architecture?

Thank you. Is there anything else from anybody?

On the veterinary side of things, can you suggest any tangible improvement?

We have heard evidence about a reduction in the number of community-based housing associations in Scotland and there is a suggestion that the regulator has been instrumental in that change. The regulator has indicated that that is not the case. What is your view on that? Is there a need to strengthen protections for community-controlled housing in Scotland?

It is a real and massive concern that individuals who are giving up their time and their talent to support an organisation are fearful that the culture of intimidation by and the behaviour of the regulator would stop them from continuing in their role or from wanting to stand up and be counted. They would prefer not to be counted—they are happy to stand up, but they do not want to be put in a position where they could be identified.

Patrick Gilbride gave us a clear description of the kind of behaviour that he has experienced in his role at director level in an organisation. The culture of fear is evident and requires to be addressed.

Does anyone else want to come in?

Good morning.

This morning, you have expressed some concerns about the culture and the robust approach of the regulator. The committee has received suggestions that bullying and intimidating behaviour by the regulator have occurred on occasion, especially when it was involved in the intervention process. Patrick Gilbride has given us a flavour of that. The regulator has come back to say that it has a robust attitude towards all that, and that it does not engage in intimidation and that that is not tolerated.

However, I am getting the feeling from some of you that that is perhaps not quite the case, and that you might have experienced some of that behaviour and culture. Do you agree that that kind of culture exists? If it does, how can that be improved?

We have heard evidence about the adequacy of the regulatory framework, with suggestions that the focus on self-assessment can be perceived as bureaucratic and could lead to some manipulation. Do you have any views on that?

As I said, there are concerns that the regulator’s self-assessment process could lead to some form of manipulation. You have already identified that you are not in the loop all the time, and that is an element of the process, but, if you were included, you would be able to have a view on some of that. It is important that you have the opportunity to understand and to be consulted or comment on what might be the case. I think that that needs to be looked at.

My second question is on something that we discussed with the earlier witness panel, which is the statutory powers of intervention. We heard concerns about the SRH having those powers and about cases where those powers were used. There is a need to bring some of that to mind. Have you have experienced anything in relation to the statutory powers of intervention that has caused concerns in your organisations?