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There are many more questions to be asked about the topic. I think that there was recently some debate about it in the chamber.

The Scottish Government must provide more clarity and information on the consultation on ending the sale of energy drinks to children and young people. We should seek clarity and ask it about the consultation and when the report on that will be published.

We talk about the influence of foodstuffs. The response has to include caffeine gum, plans to review risk-management decisions based on the European Food Safety Authority’s advice as part of the Scottish Government’s work, and what further consideration has been given to the plan to introduce a ban on the sale of fast-release caffeine products to those who are under 18. All those things require more clarity before any further decisions or discussions can take place.

I concur with the convener. We require clarity from the cabinet secretary with reference to access to Stranraer and Cairnryan. Notwithstanding that the petitions have been here a long time, there is merit in trying to find more information and clarity before we get to the stage of closing them. I support the convener’s suggestion that we should get the information and not close the petitions at this stage.

Good morning, Mark. You have outlined the need for such a group to come together with others and to collaborate. That represents an opportunity, because the existing groups are of quite long standing and they will have been looking at the system over the past session and even prior to that. You mentioned connections, and there is no doubt that those exist.

You said that you want to influence future Government policy and that the group would consider how to achieve that. How do you envisage that taking place? If you have an agenda to that effect—ensuring that you are running parallel with Government policy or aiming to influence it—how would you achieve it?

Mr Marra, you identify a gap in the process—there is no denying that. The families that engage with the process at the moment are those who have youngsters who have a challenge, a need or a disability. They are much more likely to be highly engaged in ensuring that their children’s needs are being addressed. The engagement is important, but there are elements within families, guardians and parents that do not engage because they are hard to reach, and schools have identified that as a problem in making sure that they cover the basics for all children.

I see where you are trying to take this, and it is laudable to take the matter in that direction, but there is a concern that not everyone would necessarily be captured. How will you ensure that the engagement is meaningful and that parents, guardians and families feel that their voices are heard and make a difference?

I agree, convener. Michael Marra has identified a gap in the system. However, I have some reservations about how successful such a group can be. We have heard about how different local authorities do different things and about how some individuals within the process are much more aligned to lobbying and making things happen—I acknowledge that. Nevertheless, it is courageous to try it.

It would be advantageous to see what happens after the group’s first year—whether it has made the impact that is intended or whether it has ended up having impacts in certain geographical areas that may be more aligned to doing something, instead of covering the whole of Scotland. There is merit in giving the group the opportunity to go forward at this stage. However, as I have said, its future will depend on its success.

I, too, commend you for your courage today in coming in and making the points that you have made.

You spoke about your difficulties when it came to reporting what had happened and dealing with the police, and you talked about the knock-on effects of that on you, as a victim. What developments would you like to see within Police Scotland in relation to how it manages such cases? The Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 led to Police Scotland changing its priorities in relation to domestic abuse, but, given your circumstances, there is obviously still a gap, with things falling through the net. What should Police Scotland be looking at? What areas could be developed?

You talked about the peer group that you have set up. Do you liaise with any of the authorities? Do you go to them, or do they come to you?

You are right: if lessons have not been learned and the situation is not changing, something needs to be done. You are attempting to bridge that gap.

As I said, I commend you for all that you have done so far and for coming here today, because that gives us an opportunity to think about what progress can be made and what we can do.

You also talked about compensation and things of that nature.

You said that talking about a monetary sum in relation to your situation would belittle the whole process.