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Scottish Government changes
01/12/2009
Gaelic
First Minister Alex Salmond has today announced changes to the Scottish Government ministerial team.
Michael Russell, who piloted the White Paper on the constitution and Referendum Bill to publication yesterday, becomes the new Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning in succession to Fiona Hyslop who replaces Mr Russell as Minister for Culture and External Affairs in attendance at the Cabinet.
The FM will take on responsibility for the constitution and the Referendum Bill to be introduced early in the New Year.
Mr Salmond said:
"Schools policy has reached a difficult period with our disagreement with many local authorities about their failure to reduce class sizes by sustaining teacher numbers, while we have achieved a new record low in primary school class sizes.
"It is appropriate that a fresh look is taken at this and other schooling issues to break the impasse for the benefit of parents, teachers and children. I believe that Michael Russell can bring new thinking to this tough task.
"Fiona Hyslop will do an excellent job as Minister for Culture and External Affairs, and will take responsibility for the Joint Ministerial Committees and for liaison with the Westminster Government and with Europe. There are key issues arising regarding changes in the terms of the JMC arrangements, and Fiona Hyslop will seek to secure a better deal for Scotland."
The First Minister will take responsibility for the constitution, signifying the seriousness of the Scottish Government's attempt to gather support for a Referendum Bill in order to allow the people the opportunity to take Scotland forward by extending the responsibilities of the Scottish Parliament.
Ms Hyslop will attend a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee (Europe) in London this afternoon.
Gaelic version
ATHARRACHAIDHEAN MINISTREALACH SAN RIAGHALTAS
Tha am Prìomh Ministear, Ailig Salmond, air atharrachaidhean ainmeachadh mar a leanas ann an sgioba mhinistrealach an Riaghaltais.
Tha Mìcheal Ruiseal, a tha air Pàipear Geal mun bhun-reachd agus Bile an Referendam a stiùireadh gu foillseachadh an-dè, gu bhith na Rùnaire Caibineit ùr airson Foghlam agus Ionnsachadh Fad-beatha.
Bidh Fiona Hyslop a' gabhail àite Mhgr Ruiseal mar Mhinistear airson Cultar agus Cùisean Taobh A-muigh, a' frithealadh a' Chaibineat.
Gabhaidh am Prìomh Mhinistear uallach a' bhun-reachd agus Bile an Referendum a bhios air an toirt air adhart tràth sa Bhliadhna Ùr.
Thuirt am Prìomh Mhinistear:
"Tha poileasaidh nan sgoiltean aig ìre a tha doirbh mar thoradh air an eas-aonta a tha eatarainn agus cuid de na h-ùghdarrasan ionadail a thaobh nach do lùghdaich iad meud chlasaichean le bhith a' cumail suas àireamhan luchd-teagaisg, fhad 's a tha sinne aig an aon àm air lùghdachadh ùr gun choimeas a dhèanamh ann am meud chlasaichean aig ìre bun-sgoile.
"Tha e iomchaidh gun tèid coimhead ris an t-suidheachadh seo às ùr agus cùisean eile sgoile cuideachd, gus an staing a rèiteach agus tighinn gu co-chòrdadh gu buannachd nam pàrantan, luchd-teagaisg agus na cloinne. Tha mise a' creidsinn gu bheil comas aig Mìcheal Ruiseal air breitheachadh as-ùr a thoirt chun an t-suidheachaidh dhoirbh seo.
"Bidh Fiona Hyslop a' dèanamh sàr-obair mar Mhinistear airson Cultar agus Cùisean Taobh A-muigh, agus a' gabhail uallach airson nan Co-Chomataidhean Ministrealach agus ceanglaichean le Riaghaltas Westminster agus An Roinn Eòrpa. Tha prìomh cheistean ag èirigh a thaobh atharrachaidhean co-cheangailte ri òrdachadh JMC, agus bidh Fionna Hyslop a' sireadh aonta nas fheàrr do dh'Alba."
Cùl-fiosrachaidh:
Gabhaidh am Prìomh Mhinistear uallach airson a' bhun-reachd, a' comharrachadh cudromachd oidhirp Riaghaltas na h-Alba air taic a thional airson Bile an Referendum, agus cead a thoirt do na daoine air cothrom Alba a thoirt air adhart le bhith a' leudachadh dleastanasan Riaghaltas na h-Alba.
Bidh A' Bh-Uas Hyslop a' frithealadh coinneamh a' Cho-Chomataidh Mhinistrealach (An Roinn Eòrpa) ann an Lunnainn feasgar an-diugh.