Bòrd na Gàidhlig Issues First Formal Notices Under Gaelic Language Act
Issued by Bòrd na Gàidhlig
Bòrd na Gàidhlig has issued formal notice under Section 3 of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 to six public authorities, requiring them to work with the Bòrd to prepare and implement Gaelic Language Plans.
Under the Act, Bòrd na Gàidhlig will notify and support a number of public authorities in Scotland each year to prepare and implement Gaelic Language Plans. When they receive notification public authorities will also receive Guidance from the Bòrd to help them prepare a plan.
The first six bodies to be formally notified are: the Scottish Executive, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Highland Council, Argyll and Bute Council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and the Scottish Parliament.
Bòrd na Gàidhlig Chief Executive, Allan Campbell said:
“These plans will reflect the aspirations of the National plan for Gaelic, and will mean that Gaelic users can access some public services in their own language more often. It is also expected that authorities producing Gaelic plans will encourage people to use Gaelic when dealing with them, and that the authorities will expand their Gaelic services and resources.
“In time this should mean that there are more opportunities to communicate in Gaelic, more services through the medium of Gaelic, and a more visible promotion of the language such as through signage.
“This is not about imposing Gaelic on organisations or people, it is about facilitation not coercion. It’s simply about creating opportunities for Gaelic speakers and those interested in Gaelic to use the language in as many situations as possible. Bòrd na Gàidhlig also recognises that there are significant tourism and other business benefits to using Gaelic in signage and through other mediums. All of these six public bodies have already put much time, resources and energy into using the language throughout their organisations, and we now expect to work with them to build on that previous activity and set further examples of good practice for other organisations.
“This is an exciting development towards the implementation of the first ever National Plan for Gaelic and we look forward to working with the first six public bodies to develop their plans.”
Bòrd na Gàidhlig is the statutory Gaelic Development Agency, established under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 to promote Gaelic both in Scotland and abroad. The Act, which was commenced in February this year, requires the Bòrd to prepare a National Plan for Gaelic to establish a strategic approach to the development of the language and its culture.
Bòrd na Gàidhlig has identified 31 public authorities which it will formally target between 2006 and 2009, with the selection being made on the basis of the potential impact which these bodies could deliver to the vitality of Gaelic in the community and home; education at all levels; and the general community life of the Highlands and Islands area in particular.
Public authorities to be notified by Bòrd na Gàidhlig under Section 3 of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 are:
2006/7
7. Scottish Executive
8. Scottish Parliament
9. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
10. Highland Council
11. Argyll & Bute Council
12. Highlands & Islands Enterprise
2007/8
13. Scottish Arts Council
14. Learning & Teaching Scotland
15. Scottish Funding Council
16. UHI Millennium Institute
17. Scottish Qualifications Authority
18. Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd
19. Scottish Natural Heritage
20. HM Inspectorate of Education
21. VisitScotland
22. Crofters' Commission
23. NHS Western Isles
24. NHS Highland and Argyll
2008/9
14. Cairngorms National Park Authority
15. City of Edinburgh Council
16. Forestry Commissioners
17. Glasgow City Council
18. Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd
19. Historic Scotland
20. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority
21. NHS Greater Glasgow
22. North Lanarkshire Council
23. Northern Constabulary
24. Scottish Environment Protection Agency
25. sportscotland
26. Stirling Council
o NOTES FOR EDITORS
Bòrd na Gàidhlig is the statutory Gaelic Development Agency, established under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 to promote Gaelic both in Scotland and abroad. The Act, which was commenced in February this year, requires the Bòrd to prepare a National Plan for Gaelic to establish a strategic approach to the development of the language and its culture.