The Scottish Government

This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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First meeting of new Gaelic agency

17/01/2003

Cuiridh Bòrd Gàidhlig na h-Alba gu mòr ri leasachadh cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig, arsa Mìchael MacBhàtair ri buill a' bhùird ùir an-diugh.

Ann a bhith a' cur fàilte air a' Chathraiche agus na buill chun na ciad coinneimh, thuirt am Ministear le uallach airson na Gàidhlig gun robh stèidheachadh Bòrd Gàidhlig na h-Alba, a' toirt fianais soilleir gu bheil Riaghaltas na h-Alba a' toirt taic agus àite do chànan is cultair na Gàidhlig.

Thuirt Michael MacBhàtair:

"Tha buill a' Bhùird a' tighinn bho shuidheachaidhean eadar-dhealaichte agus tha mòran eòlais aca air leasachadh Gàidhlig agus tha mi a' coimhead air adhart ri bhith ag obair còmhla ri Mgr Fearghastan agus ri na buill eile ann a bhith a' cur air adhart poileasaidh Mhinistearan na h-Alba gus a' Ghàidhlig a chur air stèidh nas làidir airson na h-àm ri teachd."

B' e aon de phrìomh mholaidhean Buidheann Comhairleachaidh Ministreil na Gàidhlig, buidheann leasachaidh Gàidhlig a stèidheachadh agus bidh am Bòrd ùr a' stiùireadh brosnachadh nàiseanta agus eadar-nàiseanta na Gàidhlig agus nan tachartasan culturach co-cheangailte ris. Bidh e an urra ri bhith ag ullachadh plana airson leasachadh Gàidhlig an Alba, agus a' co-òrdanachadh buileachadh a' phlana ann an solas aithisg Buidheann Comhairleachaidh Ministreil na Gàidhlig, Cothrom Ùr don Ghàidhlig.

Bidh àite fìor chudromach aig Bòrd Gàidhlig na h-Alba a bhios stèidhichte an Inbhir Nis ann an dearbhadh nam prìomh-amasan airson leasachadh Gàidhlig an Alba agus ann an daingneachadh deagh luach an airgid do mhaoinean poblach.

Chaidh an Cathraiche, Donnchadh Fearghastan, Ceann-sgoile Àrd-sgoil a' Phluic a chur an dreuchd san Dàmhair agus chaidh na còignear bhall eile an cur an dreuchd na bu tràithe san Fhaoilleach. Is iadsan an t-oileanach Ceit Anna NicLeòid, aig aois 19 am ball as òige a-riamh de bhuidheann phoblach neo-roinneil (NDPB); an seinneadair Artair Carmaig; an craoladair Agnes Rennie; an neach-teagaisg Boyd Robastan; agus an t-oifigear foghlaim Rosemary Ward.

Tha buidseat de £13 millean aig Riaghaltas na h-Alba airson na Gàidhlig, a' gabhail a-steach £3.1 m airson Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig; £1.8 m airson buidhnean Gàidhlig agus pròiseactan; agus £8.5m airson craoladh Gàidhlig.

English version

Bòrd Gàidhlig na h-Alba (Gaelic Development Agency) will make a major contribution to the strategic development of Gaelic language and culture, its members were told at its first meeing today.

Mike Watson, the Minister with responsibility for Gaelic, said that the establishment of Bòrd Gàidhlig na h-Alba is a clear statement of the Executive's commitment to and recognition of Gaelic language and culture.

Mr Watson continued:

"The Bòrd members represent varying backgrounds and have considerable experience of Gaelic development. I look forward to working with Mr Ferguson and his colleagues in pursuing Scottish Ministers' policy of ensuring Gaelic's future."

One of the main recommendations of the Ministerial Advisory Group on Gaelic was the establishment of a Gaelic development agency, and the new Board will lead the national and international promotion of the Gaelic language and associated cultural activities.

It will prepare a plan for Gaelic development in Scotland, and will co-ordinate the implementation of the plan in the light of the report of the Ministerial Advisory Group on Gaelic, A Fresh Start for Gaelic.

Bòrd Gàidhlig na h-Alba, which will be based in Inverness, will have a crucial role in determining the priorities for Gaelic development in Scotland and in ensuring good value for money for public funds.

The chairman Duncan Ferguson, head teacher of Plockton High School, was appointed in October, and the other five members were appointed earlier in January. They are student Ceit Anna MacLeod, who at 19 is the youngest-ever member of a non-departmental public body (NDPB); singer Arthur Cormack; broadcaster Agnes Rennie; lecturer Boyd Robertson; and education officer Rosemary Ward.

The Executive has a budget of £13 million for Gaelic, which includes £3.1 m for Gaelic-medium education, £1.8 m for Gaelic organisations and projects, and £8.5 m for Gaelic broadcasting.