This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Gaelic Bill before Parliament
28/09/2004
Legislation designed to help the Gaelic language survive and thrive was published today.
A number of changes have been made to strengthen the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Bill following last year's consultation on the draft legislation.
The main amendments are:
- Bòrd na Gàidhlig will have powers to issue statutory guidance on Gaelic education to specify entitlement to Gaelic Medium Education
- Bòrd na Gàidhlig's advisory role will be expanded to allow it to advise all public, private and voluntary sector bodies on Gaelic issues
- Bòrd na Gàidhlig will decide where to focus Gaelic language development and determine which bodies should produce language plans
- A system has been introduced to give the Bòrd and Ministers powers to monitor the implementation of public bodies' language plans and issue directions whenever necessary.
Education Minister Peter Peacock, who has ministerial responsibility for Gaelic, said:
"Today is an historic day for Gaelic as we move to secure the status of the language in Scotland, ensuring that - rather than dying out as some have gloomily predicted - it has a long-term future.
"The publication of the bill is just one reason for optimism - the fact that Gaelic medium education is flourishing and the number of young speakers is rising also gives us real hope.
"This is a vital piece of legislation and it's crucial that we get it right. That's why we listened carefully to the points raised in the consultation and, as a result, have strengthened the bill.
"This bill will make it easier for people to use Gaelic and ensure that public bodies - such as councils and health boards - have to take the needs of Gaelic speakers into account.
"I believe this bill will leave the Gaelic language well-equipped to meet the demands of the 21st century and ensure it prospers for years to come."
Bòrd na Gàidhlig Chairman Duncan Ferguson said:
"This is a momentous day for Gaelic, and Bòrd na Gàidhlig is delighted to welcome the publication of the revised bill.
"This bill is a clear demonstration of the Executive's determination to secure and revitalise Gaelic, and it is also a most encouraging reflection of extensive consultation with, and input from, many people committed to the future of Gaelic nationally.
"The Executive and Bòrd na Gàidhlig are very aware of the scale of the challenge they face in seeking to reverse the fortunes of Gaelic, and the Bòrd will work hard with the Executive as this bill progresses through Parliament to achieve our mutually agreed objectives for the language."
An Comunn Gaidhealach President Angus MacDonald said:
"An Comunn Gaidhealach welcomes the bill as a first step towards creating a legal framework in which Gaelic can move forward on several fronts."
Alex MacDonald, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Convener, added:
"A Gaelic Language Act will be a major step forward in the revitalisation of the language. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar looks forward to working closely with Bòrd na Gàidhlig and the Executive to ensure that it meets the aspirations of the Gaelic community in Scotland."
Matthew MacIver, Chief Executive of the General Teaching Council for Scotland, said:
"Given the decline of Gaelic over the last century it is now imperative that substantial moves are made to retrieve the language.
"Along with many others I hope the ensuing Act will secure the place of the Gaelic language as a living part of Scottish life, promote the use of Gaelic in Scotland and increase the appreciation of its place and value in Scottish culture."
Comunn na Gàidhlig's Chief Executive Domhnall Martin said:
"Comunn na Gàidhlig welcomes the publication of the bill and the Executive's commitment to 'provide a Gaelic Language Act which will meet the aspirations of the Gaelic community'. Comunn na Gàidhlig look forward to participating in the discussions on the bill by the Parliament's Education Committee over the next few months."
Councillor Hamish Fraser, Chairman of Highland Council's Gaelic Select Committee, said:
"The Highland Council congratulates the Scottish Executive on bringing forward the first Gaelic Language (Scotland) Bill as this is a very special and historical occasion for Gaelic as for the first time the language will be enshrined in law and it is the responsibility of all - especially the Scottish Executive and Parliament to be innovative and imaginative in the development of Gaelic.
"We in Highland believe that this legislation could be the foundation for the future growth of Gaelic, an aim which we are all striving to achieve."
The consultation on the draft Gaelic Language Bill ran from October 2003 to January 2004 and there were over 3,000 responses.
The first stage of the bill's progress through parliament - the committee taking evidence - is expected to take until the end of 2004. It is hoped the parliamentary process will be completed by summer 2005.
Earlier this month, Mr Peacock used his powers under the Standards in Schools Act 2000 and issued guidance to councils to secure entitlement to Gaelic Medium Education and ensure Gaelic classes do not close without full consultation.
BILE NA GÀIDHLIG AG ULLACHADH CÀNAN AIRSON DÙBHLAIN AN 21mh LINN
Chaidh reachdas eachdraidheil fhoillseachadh an-diugh a chaidh a dhealbh gus a' Ghàidhlig a chuideachadh mairsinn beò agus soirbheachadh.
Chaidh grunnan atharrachaidhean cudromach a dhèanamh gus Bile na Gàidhlig (Alba) a neartachadh an dèidh a' cho-chomhairleachaidh a chaidh a dhèanamh an-uiridh air an dreachd reachdas.
'S iad na prìomh leasachaidhean:
- Bidh cumhachdan aig Bòrd na Gàidhlig stiùireadh reachdail a lìbhrigeadh mu fhoghlam Gàidhlig gus còir air foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig a shònrachadh
- Bidh dreuchd comhairleachaidh a' Bhùird air a leudachadh gus leigeil leis comhairle a thoirt do na h-earrannan poblach, prìobhaideach agus saor-thoileach air cùisean Gàidhlig.
- Co-dhùnaidh Bòrd na Gàidhlig far am bu chòir prìomhachas a thoirt do leasachadh cànain Gàidhlig agus dearbhaidh e dè na buidhnean a bu chòir planaichean cànain ullachadh.
- Chaidh siostam a thoirt a-steach gus cumhachdan a thoirt don Bhòrd agus do na Ministearan gus sùil a chumail air cur an gnìomh planaichean-cànain bhuidhnean poblach agus gus treòrachadh a thoirt nuair a bhios sin iomchaidh
Thuirt Ministear an Fhoghlaim, Peadar Peacock, air a bheil uallach ministreil airson na Gàidhlig:
"'S e latha eachdraidheil a tha seo airson na Gàidhlig an uair a tha sinn a' gluasad air adhart gus inbhe ar cànain ann an Alba a dhèanamh tèarainte, a' dèanamh cinnteach - an àite i a bhith a' bàsachadh a-mach mar a tha mòran air a bhith a' fàisneachd gu dubhach - gu bheil àite gu bhith aice san àm ri teachd.
"Chan eil ann am foillseachadh a' bhile seo ach dìreach aon adhbhar airson a bhith misneachail - tha am fianais gu bheil foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig a' dol bho neart gu neart agus gu bheil an àireamh de luchd-labhairt òga ag èirigh cuideachd na fhìor adhbhar dòchais.
"'S e pìos reachdais deatamach a tha seo agus tha e fìor chudromach gum faigh sinn ceart e. Sin as coireach gun do dh'èist sinn gu geur ris na puingean a chaidh an togail sa cho-chomhairleachadh, agus, mar thoireadh air sin, gun do neartaich sinn am bile.
"Nì am bile seo e nas fhasa do dhaoine a bhith a' cleachdadh na Gàidhlig agus dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil buidhnean poblach - leithid comhairlean agus bùird-slàinte - a' gabhail suim de fheumalachdan luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig.
"Tha mi den bheachd gun deasaich am bile seo a' Ghàidhlig gus coinneachadh ri iarrtasan an 21mh linn agus gun dèan e cinnteach gun soirbhich leis a' chànan sna bliadhnaichean a tha romhainn."
Thuirt Donnchadh Fearghasdan, Cathraiche Bhòrd na Gàidhlig:
"'S e latha mòr a tha seo dhan Ghàidhlig, agus tha Bòrd na Gàidhlig air a dhòigh fàilte a chur air foillseachadh a' bhile ath-sgrùdaichte. Tha am bile seo na dhearbhadh soilleir air rùn an Riaghaltais a' Ghàidhlig a dhèanamh tèarainte agus ath-bheothachadh, agus tha e cuideachd na sgàthan air co-chomhairleachadh farsaing le, agus cur a-steach bho, mòran dhaoine a tha dealasach mu chor na Gàidhlig gu nàiseanta.
"Tha an Riaghaltas agus Bòrd na Gàidhlig gu math mothachail air meud an dùbhlain a tha romhpa ann a bhith a' strì ri bhith a' cur car de shuidheachadh na Gàidhlig, agus co-obraichidh am Bòrd gu dian leis an Riaghaltas fhad's a bhios am Bile seo a' dol tron Phàrlamaid gus ar n-amasan co-aontaichte airson a' chànain a choileanadh"
Fhuair am Bile fàilte chridheil bho na buidhnean Gaidhlig.
Thuirt Ceann-suidhe a' Chomuinn Ghàidhealaich Aonghas Dòmhnallach:
"Tha an Comunn Gàidhealach a' cur fàilte air a' bhile mar a' chiad cheum ann a bhith a' steidheachadh frèam laghail anns an urrainn dhan Ghàidhlig gluasad air adhart air grunn thaobhan."
Chuir Alaic Dòmhnallach, Ceann-suidhe Chomhairle nan Eilean Siar ri sin:
"Bidh Achd Ghàidhlig na ceum adhartach ann a bhith ag ath-bheothachadh a' chànain. Tha Comhairle nan Eilean Siar a' coimhead air adhart ri bhith a' co-obrachadh gu dlùth ri Bòrd na Gàidhlig agus ris an Riaghaltas ann a bhith a' dèanamh cinnteach gu bheilear a' coinneachadh ri miannan na coimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig an Alba."
Thuirt Mata MacÌomhair, Stiùiriche Comhairle Coitcheann an Luchd-teagaisg an Alba:
"Leis a' chrìonadh a thàinig air a' Ghàidhlig thar an linn a chaidh seachad tha e deatamach gun tèid oidhirpean susbainteach a dhèanamh gus an cànan a leasachadh. Maille ri mòran eile tha mi an dòchas gum bi an Achd a leanas comasach air inbhe na Gàidhlig a dhèanamh tèarainte ann an Alba mar earrann beò de bheatha na h-Alba, ag adhartachadh cleachdadh na Gàidhlig an Alba agus a' leudachadh tuigse den àite agus an luach a tha aige ann an cultar na h-Alba."
Comhairliche Ùisdean Friseal, Cathraiche Comataidh Taghte na Gàidhlig, Comhairle na Gaidhealtachd:
Tha Comhairle na Gaidhealtachd a' cur meal an naidheachd air Riaghaltas na h-Alba airson a bhith a' toirt air adhart a' chiad Bile na Gaidhlig (Alba) oir 's e latha glè shònraichte agus eachdraidheil a tha seo dhan Ghàidhlig oir airson a' chiad uair bidh an cànan air a ghleidheadh san lagh agus tha uallach oirnn uile - gu h-àraidh air Riaghaltas na h-Alba agus air a' Phàrlamaid a bhith ùr-ghnàthach agus innleachdach ann an leasachadh na Gàidhlig. Tha sinne ann an Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd a' creidsinn gum faodadh gum biodh an reachdas seo na bhun-stèidh airson fàs na Gàidhlig, amas a tha sinn a' strì airson a choileanadh."
Thuirt Dòmhnall Màrtainn bho Chomunn na Gàidhlig:
"Tha Comunn na Gàidhlig a' cur fàilte air foillseachadh a' Bhile agus dealas an Riaghaltais ann a bhith 'ag ullachadh Achd Cànain a choinnicheas ri mòr-mhiann na coimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig'. Tha Comunn na Gàidhlig a' coimhead air adhart ri bhith a' com-pàirteachadh sna deasbadan mun bhile le Comataidh Foghlaim na Pàrlamaid thar nam beagan mìosan a tha romhainn.
Chaidh an co-chomhairleachadh air an dreachd Bhile Gàidhlig a chumail bhon Dàmhair 2003 gu Faoilleach 2004 agus fhuaras còrr air 3,000 freagairt.
Thathar a' sùileachadh gun lean a' chiad ìre de dh'adhartas a' Bhile tron Phàrlamaid - a' chomataidh a' gabhail fianais - gu deireadh 2004. Thathar an dòchas gum bi am pròiseas pàrlamaideach seachad mun t-samhradh 2005.
Nas tràithe air a' mhìos seo, chleachd Mgr Peacock a chumhachdan fon Achd Inbhean ann am Foghlam 2000 agus thug e stiùireadh do chomhairlean gus còirichean airson foghlam Gàidhlig a dhèanamh teàrainte agus gus dèanamh cinnteach nach dùin clasaichean Gàidhlig gun làn cho-chomhairleachaidh.