This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Key Gaelic appointment announced
20/12/2005
Gaelic version
The first chairman of the new statutory body to be established to drive forward plans to safeguard the future of Gaelic will be Matthew MacIver.
Education Minister Peter Peacock, who has ministerial responsibility for Gaelic, announced today that Mr MacIver had been appointed as the chairman designate of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the statutory body created by the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005.
Mr MacIver, who is Chief Executive/Registrar of the General Teaching Council for Scotland, will have a crucial role in implementing the 2005 Act.
Bòrd na Gàidhlig's tasks will include:
- Developing a national Gaelic language plan
- Working with public bodies to develop local language plans
- Leading the national and international promotion of the Gaelic language, culture and education
Mr Peacock said:
"This is another milestone for Gaelic. Bòrd na Gàidhlig will be the key players in implementing the Gaelic Language Act.
"In Matthew MacIver, we have secured a passionate enthusiast for the Gaelic language with a long track record in public service who will - I am sure - work tirelessly to ensure the language will thrive in future.
"Matt's passion for Gaelic, his contacts and influence in the Gaelic community will prove invaluable and I look forward to working with him on the implementation of the Act."
Mr MacIver said:
"I am delighted to accept the invitation from the Minister to chair Bòrd na Gàidhlig. This is an exciting time for all of us in the Gaelic community but we also face substantial challenges.
"It is now up to the community to take advantage of the statutory powers that underpin the recent Act of Parliament and ensure Gaelic becomes a thriving language once again.
"It is also important that the Gaelic community begins to feel a confidence about its future and sees the language as an integral part of that future. Bòrd na Gàidhlig must help foster this confidence and provide a lead for the community to make the most of the many varied skills and attractions it has to offer, not just for Gaels but for all of Scotland and its cultural development.
"I look forward to working with the Bòrd, its members, officers and the wider community, to make a success of this opportunity."
Mr MacIver is a native Gaelic speaker from the Isle of Lewis and former Chairman of the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee, where he worked with broadcasters and regulators to ensure that high quality Gaelic programmes were available to viewers throughout Scotland.
Mr MacIver is a former headteacher at Fortrose Academy and Edinburgh's Royal High School. He is currently Chief Executive/Registrar of the General Teaching Council for Scotland, the body which regulates the teaching profession in Scotland.
On commencement of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, Bòrd na Gàidhlig will assume the role of the existing Gaelic NDPB, whose business will be wound up.
This four-year appointment will run from commencement of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, expected to be in February.
This post is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £12,400 for four days per month and attendance at Bòrd meetings approximately every two months.
This appointment was made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland's Code of Practice.
All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity, if any, to be made public. Mr MacIver has declared no political activities in the past five years.
Gaelic Version
PRÌOMH DHREUCHD GÁIDHLIG AIR A SUIDHEACHADH.
Se Mata MacÌomhair a chiad Cathraiche a bhios air a bhuidhinn a thèid a stèidheachadh gus innleachdan ùr a thoirt air adhart a bheir teàrainteachd dhan Ghàidhlig.
An diugh dh'ainmich Ministear an Fhoghlaim Peadar Peacock, aig am bheil uallach airson na Gàidhlig, gun deach Maighstir MacÌomhair a shuidheachadh mar Chathraiche ainmichte air Bòrd na Gàidhlig, am buidheann poblach ùr a thèid a steidheachadh fo Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba) 2005.
Bithidh uallach shònraichte aig Mr. MacÌomhair, a tha na Cheannard agus na Fhear-clàraidh air Comhairle Choitcheann Theagasg na h-Alba, ann a bhith a toirt Achd 2005 gu gnìomh.
Am measg nan uallaichean a bhios air Bòrd na Gàidhlig bithidh:
- A deasachadh plana leasachaidh nàiseanta dhan Ghàidhlig
- Ag obair le buidhnean poblach a deasachadh planaichean cànain
- A stiùireadh foillseachadh nàiseanta is eadar-nàiseanta cultar is foghlam a chànain
Thuirt Mgr Peacock;
"Se clach-mhìle eile tha seo dhan Ghàidhlig. Leis an uallach shònraichte a bhios air Bòrd na Gàidhlig ann a bhith a cuir Achd na Gàidhlig an gnìomh, bha e deatamach an neach ceart a bhith air an stiùir.
"Le Mata MacÌomhair a thaghadh tha sinn air fìor dhuine dealasach dìoghrasach a lorg a ni strì gun lagachadh, tha mi cinnteach, gus gun soirbhich le Gàidhlig san am ri teachd.
"Bithidh luach mhòr as an eòlas agus an creideas farsaing a th'aig Mata ann an coimhearsnachd an Gàidhlig, agus tha fiughair agam a bhith ag obair còmhla ris à cuir an Achd an gnìomh."
Thuirt Mgr MacÌomhair:
"Tha mi air leth toilichte gabhail ri cuireadh bhon Mhinistear a bhith nam Chathraiche air Bord na Gaidhlig. 'S e am inntinneach a tha seo dhuinn uile ann an saoghal na Gàidhlig, ach tha atharraichean mòra an dàn dhuinn cuideachd.
"Tha e nis an urra ris a choimhearsnachd brath a ghabhail air na cumhachdan a tha an cois Achd na Gàidhlig gus dèanamh cinnteach gun till neart is sgairt chun na Gàidhlig a rithist.
"Tha e cuideachd deatamach gun tog misneachd am measg nan Gàidheal a thaobh na tha romhpa, agus gum faic iad an cànan aig cridhe an adhartais sin. Feumaidh Bòrd na Gàidhlig cuideachadh le bhith brosnachadh na misneachd sin, agus stiùir a thoirt dhan choimhearsnachd gus an cothrom as fheàrr a ghabhail air na sgilean agus na buannachdan a thaca, chan ann a-mhàin dha na Gàidheil ach do leasachadh cultarail Alba gu lèir.
"Tha fiughair agam obrachadh le buill is oifigearan a Bhùird, agus a choimhearsnachd, gus brath a ghabhail air a chothrom seo."
'S i Gàidhlig cànan màthaireil Mhata MhicÌomhair a bha roimhe na chathraiche air Comataidh Craolaidh Gaidhlig, far an do dh'obraich e cuide ri craoladairean agus luchd riaghlaidh gus dèanamh cinnteach gum biodh programan matha Gàidhlig air thairgse dha luchd amhairc air feadh Alba. Bha Mgr MacÌomhair uair na cheannard air Àrd-sgoil a Chananaich, agus air Àrd -sgoil Rìgheal Dhùn Èideann. Tha e an dràsta na Cheannard agus na Fhear-clàraidh air Comhairle Choitcheann Theagasg na h-Alba, a bhuidhinn a tha a riaghladh luchd teagaisg na dùthcha.
Nuair a thoisicheas Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba) 2005 ri dhol an gnìomh gabhaidh Bòrd na Gàidhlig thairis uallaichean na buidhne poblaich a th'ann, agus thèid i sin a bith.
Mairidh an dreuchd seo fad ceithir bliadhna bho thoisicheas Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba) 2005, thathas an dùil sa Ghearran.
Se dreuchd pàirt-ùine a tha seo a choisinneas tuarasdal £12,400 airson ceithir latha gach mìos agus làthaireachd aig choinneamhan Bùird gach dara mìos na marsin.
Chaidh an dreuchd seo a shuidheachadh a-rèir riaghailtean obrach Coimiseanair Dhreuchdan Poblach na h-Alba.
Tha na taghaidhean seo uile a-rèir comais agus chan eil gnothaich aig poileataics ris a chùis. Aig an aon àm, agus a-rèir riaghailtean Nolan, feumar ceangalan poileataigeach sam bith a th'aig luchd dreuchd fhoillseachadh. Tha Mgr MacÌomhair air fhoillseachadh nach robh ceangalan poileataigeach sam bith aige as na còig bliadhna a chaidh.