 I turn now to topical questions. Before I do, I just want to remind members, Presiding officers and I have been discussing this matter with business managers and others. We are very conscious that we want to make sure that we respect all members when they are asking questions and we will try not to interrupt. However, it is imperative that all members try to get to the point of the question, try to do so succinctly, do not make an argument to me, make a sentence beforehand but do not try to make an argument, and also be beneficial if ministers could answer succinctly too and will get through all the questions. If we do not make progress, it will be the members at the end of the statement, at the end of the queue for questions that get dropped rather than us trying to cut people off. On that note, we want to topical questions. Question number one, Mike Rumbles. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with ScotRail and Police Scotland regarding arrangements for the league cup semifinals. While the scheduling of matches is a matter for the football authorities, we recognise that there is anger, particularly among supporters who are travelling from Aberdeen and Edinburgh. The Scottish Government, Transport Scotland and ScotRail were not consulted ahead of the SPFL announcement, though we have discussed the issue with all key organisations, including ScotRail and Police Scotland. We are actively engaging with all relevant partners to consider all key issues of concern. That dialogue will continue, and I hope that the appropriate outcome will be reached. Mike Rumbles. I thank the minister for that response. It should be a fantastic opportunity for families across the country to get to the showpieces of Scottish football, but fans and the clubs involved say that the planning has been botched. Families are thinking twice about going, they are concerned about the logistics of getting there and home again, with ScotRail saying that the logistical challenges should not be underestimated. Although we hope that people will act responsibly, there is real concern about the risk of having 100,000 fans from four rival teams congregating in the same area on the same day and, overnight, the Scottish Police Federation has described it as idiotic. Does the minister agree that the change is necessary and that the date should be moved, at least? The member makes a number of very important points, many of which I think SPFL should have considered before making their decision. I know that Police Scotland has significant expertise in successfully policing high-profile matches. Discussions are continuing, and I understand that Police Scotland has asked the SPFL to review its plans and has sought assurance around public safety. I know that that will be a welcome move by many of the fans. Police Scotland will review further information and discuss any issues further with the SPFL. It is vital that public order and safety remain paramount in any decision going forward. I would also ask the SPFL to make sure that they are considering the fans and that they are considering the interests of Scottish football in any final decision. I do not recall ScotRail taking an event organised at a task so publicly before. It did not hold back. The SPFL is well aware from previous events of the logistical challenges that an early kick-off presents, particularly from Sunday morning services from Aberdeen and North East fans. Particularly speaking about North East fans, they have been given a thoroughly raw deal, as there is not a train that will get Aberdonians to Glasgow before the kick-off. I would like to thank Aberdeen Evening Express for leading the campaign for a fair deal for fans. Does the minister agree that event organisers have a responsibility to accommodate the needs of people from the whole of Scotland, not just in the central belt? Has the minister considered what the Government can do to encourage that in the future? The member makes a very good point. As I said in my first answer, the SPFL did not have any dialogue with ScotRail prior to making the decision. I have asked the SPFL to ensure that, in future, appropriate dialogue with all the appropriate agencies takes place before decisions of this nature are made. We seem to have a huge amount of interest in the subject. I do not think that we will get through, despite my appeal for brevity, not sure that we will get through them all, but Lewis MacDonald will be followed by Gordon MacDonald. Is the minister's initial response to say that dialogue is continuing and that he hopes that an appropriate outcome will be forthcoming? He also mentioned a review by Police Scotland. Can I ask the minister if that dialogue includes a proposition from the Government that the SPFL should scrap its existing plans to have two semi-finals at the same venue on the same day, revisit that and do something that serves the interests of football fans, not just in the north-east but across Scotland? Ultimately, the decision of when fixtures take place has to be a matter for the SPFL, but they have to, I think, take into account advice from Police Scotland, advice from Transport Scotland and advice from ScotRail. They need to take account of the fans and to consider what is in the best interests of Scottish football. Gordon MacDonald will be followed by Jamie Greene. I have written to the SPFL expressing what I believe to be a lack of consideration for families that are expected to leave Glasgow at 10 pm on a Sunday night to travel back to Edinburgh, which could be worse if the game goes into extra time or penalties. Does the minister share my concern for hearts fans in my constituency who, given the 745 kick-off, will be lucky to get home by midnight? Mindful of the time, I am sure that the SPFL will be listening to everything that is said in the chamber today. The points that the member makes are well made. Jamie Greene will be followed by Maureen Watt. My questions are less for the agency and more for the minister. Can he confirm what discussions the Government has had with Transport Scotland and ScotRail to ensure that supply will meet demand on the day? Secondly, what discussions have been had between Police Scotland and the BTP in the Government to ensure that there will be adequate police numbers and increased presence in the community to reassure any concerned residents or businesses? As I said in my earlier answer, the Scottish Government is continuing to liaise and discuss with all key stakeholders. Maureen Watt will be followed by Jeremy Balfour. It has already been pointed out that the first train from Aberdeen to Glasgow on Sunday arrives at 14 minutes after the match has started. What levers has the Scottish Government or can the Scottish Government use to remind football in Scotland that they too have a role to play in reducing carbon emissions and car journeys, that they have a responsibility for the health and safety of their fans as well as their players and that without fans there would be no clubs and no football TV deals that seem to drive everything? Can I ask those in the chamber who have not signed my motion to do so and also to support the evening express campaign on this issue? I think that the member makes her points well, which I am sure the SPFL will be listening to. Jeremy Balfour to be followed by James Kelly. I was hoping to take my two girls to watch hearts go into the final, but with the change in time that will be impossible due to their age. Will the minister agree with me that if we are trying to attract younger people to come and watch football and take part in football, this is a retrograde step and the SFA should rethink the situation and move one game to a more appropriate time? Again, in order to make sure that everyone can contribute, I think that the member is making some very good points, which I am hopeful that the SPFL will be listening to. James Kelly to be followed by Gordon Lindhurst. The decision by the SPFL, taken in secret behind closed doors, treats supporters and the general public with contempt. There is a simple solution. Move one of the games to either Monday evening or the following weekend. Will the Government use its offices to produce a co-ordinated response behind an alternative date and urge the SPFL to reverse this disastrous decision? As I said earlier, the Government is continuing to engage with stakeholders, but I think that, as I have already said, the Police Scotland has specifically asked the SPFL to review its plans and they have asked for assurances around public safety. It will be then for Police Scotland to review that further information and to discuss how to take that forward in the best interests of public safety. That obviously has to be the primary focus of Police Scotland, but I will go back to my point that I think that the SPFL has a responsibility to their fans, a point that many folk in the chamber have made, and they also have a responsibility to Scottish football. Gordon Lindhurst to be followed by James Dornan. Bear in mind that this fixture is set for Halloween weekend, which is unfortunately one of the busiest weekends of the year for the emergency services. That will mean that police and other essential services will hardly get any time off. Does the minister agree that efforts should be made to see that all those who can get at least one day a week off from their work and, in particular, where possible, those of essential services? Minister, that is a point now that I will make sure that the Cabinet Secretary for Justice is aware of. James Dornan. Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. Given that we hear that the SPFL did not even think to contact Scott Rail, have any discussions with bus operators that the SPFL has strongly opposed to the two games going ahead in the same day, does the minister agree with me that such disregard of football fans or public services in my constituents further highlights the need to improve the governance of Scottish football and would the Scottish Government give some thought to how that could be achieved? Minister. The member's passion for football and the need to improve governance of a national game is well recorded. Following my recent appointment, I have now formally met the Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell and SPFL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster to discuss issues like those. Governance can be strengthened and the voice of the supporter can be heard more loudly. Can I thank the minister and members for following up on my remarks? I didn't expect to have such success so early on. However, I'm very pleased. We're going to move on shortly to the next item of business, which will be a motion on 1.4160 in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville. I'll just take a few seconds for members to change seats.