Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee, 20 Oct 1999

Meeting date: Wednesday, October 20, 1999

Official Report 574KB pdf

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Gaelic

The first part of the session will be a discussion with the organisations responsible for the promotion and development of the Gaelic language. For the purposes of this part of the meeting, the presentations will be made in Gaelic.

Simultaneous interpreting equipment is available for members. I will give an outline of the instructions that I have been given. It is embarrassing for me to give technical advice to anyone, bearing it in mind that I have just done a radio interview during which I was asked for the e-mail address so that people could send information to this inquiry, but I was unable to provide said information. On that note of technical incompetence, let us proceed.

Members should plug the headphones into the bottom of the receiver unit, press start and check that channel 1 is selected. There is a volume control on the left side of the unit. The simultaneous interpretation will not be broadcast over the public address system, as that would disturb the speakers. A limited number of headsets is available for members of the public, which the security staff will make available on request.

I welcome Allan Campbell, chief executive of Comunn na Gàidhlig, and Lachlan Dick and Calum Robertson from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. We will hear from Allan Campbell first, and then from the gentlemen from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. I will open the meeting to questions once we have heard both presentations.

Thank you. Before I start, I should say that my colleague, Donald Martin, is also with me, sitting next to the overhead projector. Donald and I are members of the trust of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. I am proud to say that I have been involved for about 20 years, and Donald for about 10 years. That is an important point.

Tapadh leibh, fhir-cathraich. Dh'iarrainn an toiseach fàilte a chur air a' Chomataidh seo chun na Gàidhealtachd agus tha mi airson taing a thoirt dhuibh airson an fhianais seo a chluinntinn ann an Gàidhlig, a' daingneachadh an àite a tha sibh deònach a thoirt dhi ann an obair Pàrlamaid na h-Albann agus ann an riaghladh na dùthcha cuideachd.

An dèidh Aithisg bho Bhòrd Leasachaidh na Gàidhealtachd, chaidh Comunn na Gàidhlig—CNAG—a stèidheachadh ann an 1984 gus an t-slighe air adhart airson ath-bheothachadh agus leasachadh na Gàidhlig agus a' chultair a cho-òrdanachadh. Tha CNAG air am maoineachadh leis an Riaghaltas 's tha e an urra riutha a' Ghàidhlig 's a chultar a leasachadh gu nàiseanta. Tha CNAG cuideachd air a bhith na buidheann comhairleachaidh air cùisean Gàidhlig do Rùnaire na h-Alba agus Oifis na h-Alba.

'S e buidheann Earrannta a th' ann an Comunn na Gàidhlig le barrantas agus inbhe carthannais. Tha ùghdarrasan ionadail, buidhnean poblach, na prìomh bhuidhnean Gàidhlig uile agus a' choimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig san fharsaingeachd air an riochdachadh air a' Bhòrd Stiùiridh aig CNAG. Tha polasaidhean na buidhne air an deasbad aig a' Chòmhdhail Nàiseanta Bhliadhnail agus air an cur an gnìomh leis an Stiùiriche agus an luchd-obrach. Tha structar na buidhne, aig an ìre seo, air a stèidheachadh air ceithir prìomh chinn: Foillseachadh agus Inbhe Thèarainte; Foghlam; Oigridh agus Leasachadh Coimhearsnachd.

Am measg nam prìomh raointean obrach, thar na còig bliadhna deug bho chaidh Comunn na Gàidhlig a stèidheachadh, tha:

An Iomairt airson Inbhe Thèarainte

Planaichean Leasachaidh airson Gàidhlig

Iomairt airson Craoladh Gàidhlig

Comann nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta)

Pròiseact nan Ealan

Iomairtean Oigridh

Cùrsaichean Bogaidh Gàidhlig

Buaidh Gàidhlig air an Eaconamaidh (Aithisg Sproull/Ashcroft)

Iomairt Turasachd Cultarach Fàilte

Iomairtean Foghlaim Gàidhlig

Sgeamaichean Gàidhlig sa Choimhearsnachd.

Chithear amasan Chomunn na Gàidhlig anns na prìomh phàipearan poileasaidh, a tha ag innse gu mionaideach mu mholaidhean agus targaidean airson leasachadh a' chànain agus a' chultair air feadh Alba.

Chaidh an Dreach Iùl airson Achd Gàidhlig a thoirt do Riaghaltas na h-Alba san Lùnasdal 1999 agus thàthar air Foghlam; Buidhnean Poblach, a' gabhail a-steach na Pàrlamaid fhèin; na Cùirtean; agus Craoladh a chomharrachdh mar na ceithir prìomh raointean a bu chòir a chòmhdach ann an lagh gus dìon brìghmhor no inbhe thèarainte a thoirt don Ghàidhlig, air a stèidheachadh air prionnsabal co-ionnanachd a bhith ann do Ghàidhlig 's do Bheurla, an Alba, coltach ris an aithne a chaidh a thoirt dhan Chuimris ann an Achd na Cuimris bho chionn sia bliadhna air ais.

A thaobh prìomh ùidh na Comataidh seo, tha an Dreach Iùl, a thaobh Foghlaim, a' moladh gur e am prionnsabal a bu chòir Achd Ghàidhlig a stiùireadh, gum faigh Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Ghàidhlig an aon inbhe ri Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Beurla a thaobh a bhith fosgailte do na h-uile, le còirichean, airgead agus stòras eile.

Bu chòir cuideachd leasachadh a dhèanamh air teagasg eachdraidh na Gàidhlig as na sgoiltean—maoineachadh ceart a dhèanamh air trusadh agus trèanadh luchd-teagaisg, agus stòras ceart cuideachd a chur ma choinneamh Sabhal Mòr Ostaig agus a leithid.

Tha Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig na chiad cheum chudromach air aithneachadh a ghainnid a tha ann de stuthan ionnsachaidh agus teagaisg na Gàidhlig, ach feumar structaran leasachaidh aig ìrean nàiseanta agus ionadail a mhaoineachadh gu cothromach.

Tha craoladh a sìor fhàs cudromach ann an saoghal foghlaim leantalach cuideachd agus tha an Dreach Iùl againn a' daingneachadh gu bheil inbhe laghail bunaiteach ma tha seirbheis choilionta Craolaidh Gàidhlig gu bhith air a thoirt gu buil.

Tha na molaidhean air Poileasaidh Nàiseanta airson Foghlaim Gàidhlig (Innleachd Airson Adhartais—a chuireadh chun Riaghaltais anns a' Chèitean bho chionn dà bhliadhna air ais) ag iarraidh gun tèid innleachd a stèidheachadh cho luath is a ghabhas airson leasachadh na Gàidhlig agus Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig a cho-òrdanachadh aig ìre nàiseanta.

Chaidh Gàidhlig plc fhoillseachadh na bu tràithe air a' bhliadhna, an dèidh beachdan a shireadh bho na prìomh bhuidhnean Gàidhlig.

(S e na trì prìomh amasan a tha an lùib a' phlana sin:

Aireamh luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig a mheudachadh

Coimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig a neartachadh

Eaconomaidh na Gàidhlig a leasachadh

Dèiligidh mi ri na trì amasan fa leth.

An toiseach, a' chiad amas—Meudachadh air luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig:

Tha àireamhan luchd-labhairt fhathast a' dol sìos, a dh'aindheoin an leudachaidh a th' air tachairt, leis gu bheil a leithid de sheann daoine againn tha sinn gan call nas luaithe na tha òigridh agus luchd-ionnsachaidh a' tighinn nan aite.

(S e a' phrìomh chnap-starra a th' againn leis a' cheann-uidhe seo—Cion Poileasaidh Nàiseanta Foghlaim Gàidhlig.

Ged a tha sinn air adhartas mor a dhèanamh thairis air na ceithir bliadhna deug a dh'fhalbh, tha suidheachadh a' chànain as a' choimhearsnachd air fàs cho lag agus nach eil i air chomas tilleadh gun taic shònraichte o shaoghal foghlaim.

(S e fuasgladh na ceist sin Achd Ghàidhlig le Còirichean Foghlaim.

Nuair a thig Poileasaidh Nàiseanta Foghlaim Gàidhlig—an dàrna cuid mar phàirt de dh'Achd Foghlaim, neo mar phàirt de dh'Achd Ghàidhlig—feumaidh innleachdan trèanaidh airson luchd-teagaisg, aig gach ìre, tighinn na cois agus maoineachadh a leigeas leis na leasachaidhean sin a dhol air adhart. As aonais sin, chan eil dòchas againn air soirbheachadh le àireamhan luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig a thilleadh.

(S e an dàrna ceann-uidhe—Neartachadh Coimhearsnachdan Gaidhlig:

Ma tha a' Ghàidhlig gu bhith buan, feumar na coimhearsnachdan dùthchail aice ath-bheothachadh a-rithist ach am bi daoine misneachail agus le fèin-spèis agus moit nan dualchas.

(S e an cnap-starra a th' againn an seo—Cion Misneachd agus Ghoireasan.

Ri linn (s nach deach a teagasg dhaibh agus, mar sin, nach robh luach cosnaidh riamh sa Ghàidhlig dhan mhòr chuid de na Gàidheil fhèin, chan eil misneachd aca innte no annta fhèin leatha—agus chan eil dòighean ceart ann fhathast gus seo a leasachadh.

(S e fuasgladh sin—Innleachd Nàiseanta dhan Ghàidhlig.

Mar phàirt de na dh'fheumas leantainn air Achd Ghàidhlig feumaidh innleachdan a bhith againn airson coinneachadh ris gach èiginn leasachaidh a th' ann agus feumaidh ionmhas a bhith ma choinneamh na h-obrach sin ma tha i dol a shoirbheachadh.

(S e an treas ceann-uidhe—Leasachadh Eaconomaigeach dhan Ghàidhlig.

Ma tha Gàidhlig gu bhith glèidheadh buan an dèidh ath-leasachaidh, feumaidh barrachd is barrachd chothroman a bhith ann a cur an sàs ann an saoghal gnìomhachais is malairt gus am bi buannachd fhollaiseach eaconomaigeach na cois.

(S e an cnap-starra a th' ann an-dràsda—Cion Ionmhais Leasachaidh.

Chan eil mothachadh gu leòr ann fhathast air na cothroman a dh'fhaodadh tighinn an cois leasachadh eaconomaigeach Gàidhlig agus ri linn sin chan eil ionmhas gu leòr neo taic gu leòr ga chur ris an iomairt seo.

(S e fuasgladh air an sin—Taic Chothromach dhan Ghàidhlig.

Tha feum air roinn nas cothromaiche de dh'ionmhas a thoirt dhan Ghàidhlig san fharsaingeachd ma tha na h-iomairtean leasachaidh èiginneach a thàthar a-niste a' comharrachadh ri bhith air an coinneachadh, agus cuideachd gus togail air na rinneadh dhan chànan gu ruige seo agus gus an tuilleadh adhartas a choilionadh.

Tha a' Ghàidhlig sònraichte ann an dualchas bheairteach nàiseanta na h-Alba.

Tha co-obrachadh deatamach a thaobh innleachd leasachaidh.

Tha maoineachadh foghlaim bunaiteach do dh'Iomairt agus do dh'Oideachadh Beatha Gàidhlig.

Tha co-obrachadh le buidhnean mar Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd, na buidhnean Iomairt, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig fhèin, Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd, agus Comhairlean, cuide ris an taic a fhuair sinn bhon Riaghaltas fhèin air a dhearbhadh dhuinne gum bheil co-roinn agus co-obrachadh bunaiteach ann an innleachdan leasachaidh na Gàidhlig, agus ma tha i gu bhith buan fad linn eile.

Mar a chithear agus mar a chluinnear as na bhios aig riochdairean an as t-Sabhail Mhòir ri aithris ribh a-niste, tha maoineachadh foghlaim aig cridhe innleachdan agus cothroman leasachaidh cànain is eaconomaigh, agus cuideachd aig cridhe innleachd leasachaidh cànain agus cultar na Gàidhlig.

Mòran taing airson eisdeachd.

I welcome the committee to the Highlands. Thank you for allowing us to make our presentations in Gaelic. It demonstrates the position that you desire to give Gaelic in the Scottish Parliament and in the country.

Comunn na Gàidhlig was set up in 1984, following a report commissioned by the Highlands and Islands Development Board on the way ahead for co-ordinating the promotion and development of the Gaelic language and culture. CNAG is a Government-funded agency with a national remit for the development and promotion of the Gaelic language and culture. CNAG has also acted as adviser on Gaelic matters to the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Scottish Office.

Comunn na Gàidhlig is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. Its bard of drectors represent local authorities, public bodies, all the main Gaelic organisations and the wider Gaelic community.

The policies of the organisation are formulated at the annual congress and implemented by the chief executive and staff. The current structure of the organisation, which has evolved over the past 15 years, is based on four main areas: promotion, status, education, youth and community development.

Over the past 15 years, some of our main initiatives have been a campaign for secure status, development plans for Gaelic, a campaign for Gaelic broadcasting, a national parent organisation, a Gaelic arts agency, youth initiatives, Gaelic immersion courses, the economic impact of Gaelic—the Brian Ashcroft and Allan Sproull report—the Fàilte culture and tourism initiative, Gaelic education initiatives and Gaelic in the community schemes. Members can see some of our main policies in the policy documents.

The draft brief for a Gaelic language bill was submitted to the Executive in August this year. It identifies education, public bodies—including the Scottish Parliament—the courts and broadcasting as the four main areas that should be covered in legislation to provide meaningful protection or secure status. That is based on the principle of equal validity for Gaelic with English in Scotland, along the lines of the recognition given to Welsh in the Welsh Language Act 1993.

As far as the interests of the committee are concerned, the draft brief recommends that the principle underlying a Gaelic language act should be that Gaelic-medium education has parity with English-medium education in terms of access, availability, rights, funding and other resources.

The importance of Gaelic and its associated culture in the development of Scotland's identity should be recognised by the teaching in primary and secondary education of its history and of its present role in language and culture. More money should also be given to Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.

The scarcity of learning and teaching materials for Gaelic has been recognised, and the recent establishment of Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig is a welcome first step, but development structures at national and local levels must be properly funded.

Broadcasting is becoming increasingly important in the context of lifelong learning; our draft brief argues that legislative provision is essential if a cohesive Gaelic broadcasting service with a capacity for growth that meets its needs is to be achieved.

The proposals for a national policy for Gaelic education in the document "Framework for Growth" submitted to the Government in May 1997 seek, as a matter of urgency, to establish a mechanism to co-ordinate the development of Gaelic and Gaelic-medium education at national level.

Gaelic plc was set up earlier this year; its three main objectives are to increase the number of Gaelic speakers, to strengthen Gaelic communities and to develop the Gaelic economy. I will address those objectives individually.

Regarding the first objective, Gaelic speakers are still deprived, despite recent developments, because older members of the Gaelic community are dying faster than new members are coming to replace them. The main obstacle is the lack of a national Gaelic education policy. Although we have made significant progress in the past 40 years, intergenerational transfer of Gaelic has weakened so much in the Gaelic community that positive and focused policies, such as a Gaelic act that includes education provisions, are crucial to the language's survival.

Although a national policy for Gaelic education might be delivered as part of an education act or as part of a Gaelic language act, it must provide for the recruitment and training of Gaelic-medium teachers at all levels. The necessary funding must be made available to deliver those objectives. Such funding would be a step towards halting the decline in the number of Gaelic speakers.

The second objective is to strengthen Gaelic communities. The long-term revival of Gaelic requires a social, economic and cultural revitalisation of Gaelic communities to create the confidence and self-esteem that are essential for sustainable growth. The obstacle to that is lack of confidence and of resources.

The vast majority of Gaels achieve no economic benefit from Gaelic because of the lack of any education in their own language. They have no confidence in the language nor in their own ability to use it beyond social conversation. We do not yet have effective resources to tackle that. The solution would be a clear national strategy for Gaelic. A Gaelic language act must provide a framework for addressing all the critical development needs of the language, and adequate resources must be provided to allow such initiatives to succeed.

The third objective is to strengthen the Gaelic economy. For any linguistic or cultural community to survive, its language must be fully and actively integrated in business and commerce. Gaelic is no different—we must seek to expand its function and place in economic activity. The obstacle is lack of funding support.

There is still a general lack of awareness in the business and economic sectors of the opportunities associated with Gaelic. Consequently, there is a lack of resources and promotion allocated to that sector. The solution is the allocation of a fairer share of resources for Gaelic in general, which would enable the wide range of urgent developmental initiatives that have been identified to be addressed. That would allow us to build on existing investment and to ensure continued growth.

Gaelic is a unique part of Scotland's rich national heritage. A partnership approach to planning is essential. Education investment is critical to Gaelic enterprise and lifelong learning. Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the local enterprise companies, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the University of the Highlands and Islands and the local authorities, with continued support from central Government, have demonstrated that a partnership approach to Gaelic planning and initiatives is paramount if the language and culture are to survive the challenges of the coming millennium.

The presentation by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig representatives will demonstrate the continuing importance of education investment as a springboard for future language and prime economic development opportunities. It is an essential prerequisite in securing the future of Gaelic language and culture.

Thank you.

Gu foirmeal, neach-cathraich, am faodainn taing a thoirt dhuibh fhèin agus don Chomataidh agaibh airson na cothrom seo a thoirt dhuinn.

An toiseach, beagan mu eachdraidh na Colaisde.

Tha Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, co-phàirtear ann an Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd, suidhichte ann an Slèibhte an Eilein Sgitheanaich. Chaidh a' Cholaisde a stèidheachadh ann an 1973, air sgàth leasachadh an dìth a bha ann thaobh Teagasg tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig agus bho 1983 thàthas air a bhith teagasg tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig cùrsaichean, a tha dearbhte gu nàiseanta, aig ìre Foghlam Adhartach. Agus bhon uiridh, ann an co-bhonn ri dà cholaisde eile ann an Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd, tha Sabhal Mòr Ostaig air a bhith tabhann dà chùrsa ceum tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig—Gàidhlig is Cultar agus Gàidhlig is Iomall a' Chuain Siar.

Bho chaidh a cur air bhonn, tha a' Cholaisde air dà leasachadh a dhèanamh air a cuid goireasan, an toiseach ann an 1993 le goireasan teagaisg is àiteachan-fuirich. Agus a-rithist an-uiridh, dh' fhosglar goireasan sònraichte Arainn Chaluim Chille làimh ris an t-seann togalach. Leig na leasaichidhean seo leis a' Cholaisde bhith leudachadh na h-obrach.

A-nis, beagan mun teagasg.

Tha teagasg na Colaisde, air a lìbhrigeadh tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig, stèidhichte air a' bheachd gu bheil eaconamachd fhallainte an crochadh air cultar tha an dà chuid beòthail is adhartach. A bharrachd air an dà chùrsa ceum, le barrantas aig caochladh ìrean agus a' chiad bhliadhna na modh bogaidh, tha a' Cholaisde a' tabhann caochladh chùrsaichean eile agus a bharrachd for-cheum Telebhisean air a liubhairt an co-bhonn ris a' ghnìomhachas. Tha a' Cholaisde cuideachd a' tabhann iomadach cùrsa goirid aig àm nan saor-làithean airson feum a dhèanamh dhe na goireasan.

I thank the committee for this opportunity to speak.

First, I will tell a little about the history of the college. Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, a partner institution with the University of the Highlands and Islands, is situated in Sleat on the Isle of Skye. The college was set up in 1973 to help remedy the lack of education through the medium of Gaelic. Since 1983, it has offered the first nationally validated further education courses through the medium of Gaelic. Since 1998, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, in conjunction with two partner colleges, has offered Gaelic-medium degree courses in Gaelic language and culture and Gaelic with north Atlantic studies.

Since its inception, SMO has undertaken two major extensions to its facilities. The first, in 1993, provided additional teaching accommodation and—for the first time—residential accommodation. In session 1998-99, the college opened the outstanding facilities at Arainn Chaluim Chille, adjacent to the earlier complex. The new facilities allowed the college to extend its range of activities.

The college curriculum, delivered through the medium of Gaelic, is founded on the belief that a sound economy must be based on a vibrant and confident culture. At certain stages, students can leave the two degrees mentioned—which entail an immersion approach to language learning in the first year—with various qualifications. In addition to the degrees, the college provides a number of other courses, including a post-qualification TV course, which is delivered in collaboration with the industry. The college operates a wide range of short courses during vacations.

Gnìomhan taice.

A bharrachd air na cùrsaichean foghlaim, tha a' Cholaisde an sàs ann an iomadh nì eile chum feumalachdan coimhearsnachd na Gàidhlig a choilionadh:

Lèirsinn—Ionad Rannsachaidh na Colaisde.

Cànan—Buidheann foillseachaidh agus maragaideachd na Colaisde.

Iomairt Chaluim Chille—Iomairt le Oifis na h-Alba airson ceanglaichean eadar Eirinn is Alba a dhàingneachadh.

Teicneòlas Fiosrachaidh—D3 agus Titan—dà phròiseact Eòrpach.

A bharrachd air an sin tha na Duilleagan Eadar-lìon aig a' Cholaisde a' faighinn còrr air 100,000 buille gach seachdainn. Tha sin uile a' toirt buaidh eaconomach air an sgìre anns a bheil a' Cholaisde.

Tha a' Cholaisde a' cur gu mòr ri teachd-a-steach na sgìre: Mar eisimpleir tha 55 luchd-obrach làn-thide againn agus nuair a tha thu a' cunntas luchd-obrach seall-thìde is geàrr-ama tha 180 air a' chlàr-pàighidh. Tha sin a' ciallachadh tuarasdail faisg air £1.49m sa bhliadhna a' dol mun cuairt sa choimhearsnachd.

Tha faisg air 25,000 oidhcheannan-cadail sa bhliadhna gan gabhail air màl sa choimhearsnachd leis a' Cholaisde agus tha luchd-teagaisg is oileanaich a' cleachdadh seirbheisean ionadail.

In addition to its academic activities, the college undertakes a range of other activities designed to meet the needs of the Gaelic community: Leirsinn, the college's research arm; Cànan, the college's publishing and marketing company; the Columba initiative, a Scottish Executive initiative to link Scotland, Northern Ireland and Eire; and information technology activity, Developing Digital Democracy, through Europe-funded projects such as Titan. In addition, the college's website has 100,000 hits a week.

The college plays a major role in the economy of the community. Fifty-five full-time jobs are sustained all year. Including part-timers and short course tutors, 180 people are on the payroll. Annual wages of £1.49 million circulate in the locality. Every year, the college rents 24,720 bed nights in the local community, while staff and students use local services.

Agus ma dh'fhaodas mise, neach-cathraich, facal a ràdh mu dheidhinn nan nithean a tha ann an amhairc na Colaisde an dà chuid sa gheàrr agus an eadar-ama.

Bu mhiann leis a' Cholaisde, an co-bhonn ri buidhnean eile, pròiseactan a bharrachd a chur air adhart a thogadh air na tha Sabhal Mòr a' cur ri teachd-an-tìr na sgìre:

Mar a' chiad eisimpleir air an sin, bu mhiann leinn a bhith a' leasachadh is a' lìbhrigeadh cùrsa ceum anns na h-Ealain Ghàidhlig is cùrsa ceum ann an Eòlas Cultaral.

Bu mhiann leinn cuideachd a dhol an sàs ann an Cùrsa Inntrigidh air theagasg air astar air sgàth agus cothrom a thoirt do dhaoine a tha an sàs ann an Gàidhlig far nach eil cothrom aca a bhith a' frithealadh cholaisdean.

Bu mhiann leinn aonadan gnìomhachais ùra a thogail aig a' Cholaisde airson cur ri na h-obraichean anns a' choimhearsnachd.

Bu mhiann leinn Ionad Ile a stèidheachadh.

Agus Pròiseact Tobar an Dualchais a chur air bhonn chum 18,000 uair de bheul-aithris Albais agus Gàidhlig a chur air an eadar-lìon.

Bu mhiann leinn cuideachd a bhith a' gabhail pàirt ann an oideachadh thidsearan Gàidhlig far a bheil fìor ghainnead aig an dearbh àm.

In the short to medium term, the college—in partnership with other organisations—has ambitions to progress a number of further projects that would enhance its contribution to the economy. For example, the college wants to develop and deliver a Gaelic and performing arts degree and a cultural studies degree. We also want to provide a structured Gaelic access course that would be available through remote delivery; build incubation units to develop further business activities locally; and develop a Gaelic language and culture centre on Islay.

In addition, the college wants to establish the Tobar an Dualchais project to digitise, catalogue and make available on-line 18,000 hours of Gaelic and Scots sound recordings. Finally, the college wants to contribute to initial Gaelic teacher training—there is a lack of Gaelic teachers at present.

Tha mi 'n dòchas gun tug siud dealbh air na tha Sabhal Mòr Ostaig ris is tha a' buntainn ri dleasdanas na Comataidh agaibh. O chionn greis a nis, tha an Riaghaltas is na Comhairlean Ionadail air a bhith cur taic ri Gàidhlig. Ach tha Urrasairean is luchd-rianachd na Colaisde gu làidir den bheachd, le meud na h-ùidhe ann an Gàidhlig is le leudachadh air teagasg tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig, gu bheil cothroman mòra ann fhathast. Agus gus sin a thoirt gu buil tha feum air aithne is leasachadh air na cnapan-starra tha mar coinneimh mar bhuidhnean Gàidhlig, agus a bharrachd, air an droch bhuaidh a tha aig cuid de structaran.

Tha Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is buidhnean Gàidhlig eile ag obair ann an suidheachadh:

—le cion-taic ann a bhith a' cur air adhart leasaichidhean ùra

—le cosgais a bharrachd thaobh bhith air an iomall

—le àireamhan beaga is barrachd cosgais gach ceann

—le coimhearsnachd a tha gu math sgapte

Tha iad sin is nithean eile a' cur ri cosgaisean.

A bharrachd, a rèir coltais, thàthar a' gluasad gu nàiseanta gu buidhnean aona-ghnìomhach is le sùil nas cumhainge. Ach an aghaidh sin feumaidh na mion-chultaran, le meud na h-obrach, a bhith adhartach is co-thaiceal. Tha feum air na buidhnean aona-ghnìomhach bhith cheart cho adhartach.

Is mu dheireadh, tha aig Sabhal Mòr, mar gach buidheann eileanach bhith beò ann an siostam tha gu beagnaich air a dhealbh a rèir feumalachdan a' bhaile mhòir. Ma tha na h-eileanan is dùthchanan iomallach eile gu bhith slàn fallain, tha feum air sin atharrachadh. Tha e na adhbhar-misneachd gum bi a' Pharlamaid ùr a' toirt sùil air a' bhuaidh a bhios aig gach achd air na h-eileanan is bidh ar dùil ri adhartas as leth sin.

Mòran taing.

I hope that the foregoing has given an indication of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig's contribution to the committee's spheres of interest. Central and local government has done much recently to support Gaelic. However, the college's trustees and management believe that with the increasing interest in Gaelic language and culture, and the growing role of Gaelic-medium education, significant further progress can be made. That progress will require recognition of and remedies for the difficulties faced by organisations operating in and through Gaelic and the unintended adverse influences of some current structures.

I will give some examples of those difficulties. Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and other Gaelic organisations operate in a field where new developments cannot draw on any significant existing support, for example, Gaelic higher education texts or Gaelic databases. That imposes additional costs. The organisations face the higher cost of rural and island locations and serve a dispersed Gaelic community; small numbers, with consequent higher per capita costs, are the norm. In addition, there has been a tendency towards single-purpose agencies and a narrowing of focus. Given the scale of operation, minority cultures are required to adopt innovative, multi-faceted and co-operative solutions. Single-purpose agencies need to adopt equally innovative approaches to such situations.

Finally, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig—like all rural or island-based organisations—is required to operate in a system that is designed primarily to cope with urban requirements. For remote and island communities to prosper, such handicaps have to be removed. We note with interest that the processes of the Scottish Parliament include the assessment of any likely effects on island communities, and we hope for positive outcomes as a result.

In a moment I will open up the discussion for questions, but I want to start with some of the economic links that have been mentioned.

The Sabhal Mòr Ostaig presentation gave a clear assessment of the college's direct economic impact on the local economy—a wider economy, I suspect, than simply that of Skye. Mr Dick, you talked about the concept of incubation units and the ability to develop local business activity. Are there distinctive features about the types of business activity that you believe can be created as a spin-off of the Gaelic language? Or, as Calum Robertson said, do we simply need to ensure that the agencies' general economic development policies create no more inherent barriers to Gaelic developments than would be the case in any urban or mainstream community in Scotland?

Tha mi smaoineachadh gur e a' chiad rud a bhiomaid a' coimhead air a shon gu suidheadh leasachadh sam bith gu comhfhurtail ri prìomh amasan na Colaisde. 'S e Colaisde acadeimigeach a th' innte agus bhiomaid airson a bhith ri obraichean a bhiodh a' cur ris an sin agus 's dòcha gum faodainn eisimpleir a tharraing bho na rudan eile a tha air fhighe a-staigh far a bheil a' Cholaisde an sàs, obair can mar Cànan— buidheann foillseachaidh agus buidheann maragaideachd agus air sgàth 's gu bheil tòrr dhen cuid-obrach ann an Gàidhlig tha sin a' cur gu mòr ri obair na Colaisde 's tha e cuideachd a' ciallachadh gu bheil e a' leudachadh a' choimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig a tha timcheall na Colaisde.

Mar sin bhiomaid a' sùileachadh rudan can mar teicneòlas fiosrachaidh agus obraichean dhen t-seòrsa sin a chuireadh ri obair na Colaisde. Thug mi tarraing air Tobar an Dualchais—nam b' e agus gum faigheamaid a' phròiseact sin leinn bhiodh an uair sin obraichean ag èirigh as dèidh làimh le bhith a' dèanamh feum dhen an stuth a bhiodh an sin.

Our first objective would be that whether any development would sit comfortably with the college's main aims. It is an academic college, and we hope to create jobs that will contribute to its work. Cànan, the publishing and marketing company, is an example of an initiative associated with the college. Because much of its work is in Gaelic, it contributes a great deal to the college's work. That also means that the community around the college is growing.

We therefore look for jobs to be created in areas such as information technology that would contribute to the work of the college. I also mentioned Tobar an Dualchais, the world heritage project. Many jobs might come from that project, through people making use of the resources contained therein.

Thank you.

Allan, I know that in the debate about the development of language, there has been an aspiration in the wider Gaelic community for an economic development dimension. Has that come to the fore, and has it been realised? What are the constraints?

Cha tàinig e gu ìre fhathast—tha sinn ga fhaicinn mar amas a tha uamhasach cudromach. 'S e an rud a tha mi smaoineachadh a dh'fheumta a thuigsinn a tha fìor a thaobh na Gàidhlig—leth-cheud bliadhna air ais bha mòran a bharrachd a' bruidhinn na Gàidhlig na tha ga bruidhinn an-diugh agus 's e rud a thachair nach robh cothroman cosnaidh dhaibh an lùib a' chànain, rud air an tug mi tarraing na bu tràithe, agus mar sin tha sinne niste den bheachd ann a bhith ag ath-leasachadh a' chànain gu feum sinn na cothroman cosnaidh a tha seo a chruthachadh dhan a' chànan, an lùib a' chanain, agus mar sin gum bi dòigh ann air am bi i buan agus 's e fear dhe na h-eisimpleirean air a bheil sinne ag amas an-dràsda 's e obair turasachd agus faodaidh Dòmhnall Màrtainn facal a ràdh air an sin.

It has not come to fruition yet, but we see it as a very important aim. We must understand that 50 years ago there were far more Gaelic speakers than there are today. However, they had no job opportunities related to the language. We are of the opinion that in developing the Gaelic language, we must create opportunities that are related to it and therefore assure its survivial. One example is the tourism project. Donald Martin will say a few words about that.

Tapa leibh. Tha sinne a' toirt sùil air turasachd cultarail agus 's e seo raon far nach eil mòran leasaichidhean air a bhith suas chun an seo. Tha sinn a' smaoineachadh gur e gnìomhachas gu math cudromach a tha ann an seo agus tha eisimpleirean againn air mar a tha leasaichidhean air an dèanamh anns an raon seo ann an Eirinn agus anns a' Chuimrigh.

Tha sinn air tòiseach tòiseachaidh a dhèanamh le pròiseact anns na h-Eileanan an Iar far a bheil sinn a' dèanamh measadh air na seirbheisean 's na goireasan a th' againn an-dràsda agus an uair sin dol a thaghadh ceithir àitichean agus bhiodh sinn an dòchas a-mach as na cèithir àitichean sin gum biodh a dhà dhiubh ann an Iomairt aig an Oir, an Iomairt mu na chuala sibh an-diugh sa mhadainn. Tha seo a' ciallachadh às na h-àitichean sin gum bi cothroman cosnaidh ann, chan ann a-mhàin do dhaoine a tha a' toirt seachad seirbheisean mar àitichean-fuirich, àitichean-bidhe; tha ionadan turasachd ann far a bheil eachdraidh ionadail an àite, ginealach agus spòrs—a h-uile càil co-cheangailte ri air gnìomhachas turasachd.

We are looking at culture tourism, an area where there have been few developments until now. However, it is a very important industry—we have the example of developments that have taken place in Ireland and in Wales. We have started a project in the western isles and are examining the different facilities and services that are available. We will then choose four places, two of which, we hope, will be initiative of the edge areas. In those places, not only will there be job opportunities for people providing services such as accommodation and catering, but information centres and genealogy and sports services will be made available.

Aon rud eile neach-cathraich a dh'iarrainn chur ris an seo, gu bheil e doirbh dha daoine fhathast a thuigsinn dè tha ann an eaconamaidh na Gàidhlig. Cha robh daoine a' smaoineachadh air a' Ghàidhlig mar rudeigin dham buinneadh eaconamaidh ann. Bha iad a' smaoineachadh nach robh ann ach dòigh air conaltradh ann an coimhearsnachdan—rudeigin dualach ach rudeigin as nach robh, mar gum biodh, dòigh air beairteas agus cosnadh a chruthachadh.

O chionn sia bliadhna chaidh a' chiad rannsachadh, a chaidh a dhèanamh riamh, air luach agus measadh eaconamaidh na Gàidhlig agus buaidh an airgid a chaidh dhan Ghàidhlig a thaobh eaconamaidh na h-Alba, fhoillseachadh. Chaidh sin a dhèanamh le taic airgid bho Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd agus thug Iain MacDhonnchaidh iomradh air an sin an-diugh sa mhadainn. 'S e Oilthigh Caledonian ann an Glaschu a rinn seo agus 's e Allan Sproull agus Brian Ashcroft a bha os cionn sin. Aig an àm, dhearbh iadsan gun robh mìle cosnadh a' tighinn an lùib na bha dol a dh'airgead an sàs dhan Ghàidhlig ann an ceithir fichead 's a dhà dheug. Agus ma choinneamh na bu lugha na fichead millean bhon Riaghaltas a' dol a dh' ionnsaidh na Gàidhlig gu h-iomlan, bha còrr air a dhà uimhir sin a' dol a dh'ionnsaigh beairteas na dùthcha—chan e mhàin gun robh dùblachadh ann air luach an airgid ach bha mìle cosnadh air tighinn na lùib cuideachd. Niste, bhon uairsin, anns na seachd bliadhna bhon uairsin, tha fhios againn gu bheil na cosnaidhean a tha sin air fàs gu math nas motha cuideachd.

It is difficult for people to understand what a Gaelic economy is. People never thought that Gaelic had any relation to the economy; they thought that it was just a way of conversing in communities. It was something that belonged to our heritage, but it was not a way of providing money.

Six years ago, the first research on the impact of the Gaelic economy was published. Highlands and Islands Enterprise provided money for that report, as Iain Robertson mentioned this morning. Dr Allan Sproull and Brian Ashcroft of Glasgow Caledonian University carried out the research. They showed that, in 1992, 1,000 job opportunities were created by the money that was invested in Gaelic. Whereas only £20 million came from the Government, a contribution of more than twice that was made to the country's wealth.

We know that, in the past six years, those opportunities have increased—there are more jobs.

I would like to explore in more depth how we might increase the number of Gaelic speakers. I want to make a comparison with Europe, where I have spent much time over the past three years. It was there that I last used simultaneous interpretation services—I must say that the interpretation here is far better than it ever was around the table in Brussels.

Around that table were representatives of 14 other countries. Most of them, with the exception of the Irish and ourselves, had a minimum of two languages, and possibly three—their native language and either French, German or English. Is there a cultural problem in trying to raise the number of Gaelic speakers? Is the demand there? Are young people interested in taking up the language? Do we in Scotland value highly enough being able to speak our own language, or has that gone by the wayside because the world speaks English and we expect that that is how it should always be?

Bheir mise a' chiad tarraing air an seo agus tha mi 'n dòchas gun tig Lachie Dick staigh an uair sin. A' chiad rud, aig a' chunntas sluaigh mu dheireadh, bha na bu lugha na trì fichead agus deich mìle de luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig ann agus bha sinn gu follaiseach a' call luchd-labhairt na bu luaithe na bha sinn a' cur feadhainn eile nan àite agus 's e as coireach ri sin gu bheil barrachd de sheann daoine am measg luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig.

A' freagairt na ceist agad, tha iarrtas dearbhte ann bho luchd-ionnsachaidh agus ged nach eil tomhas mionaideach againn an-dràsda, thàthas dhen bheachd gu bheil rudeigin eadar còig agus ochd mìle duine ann an Alba ag ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig gu dùrachdach. Tha e follaiseach gu bheil pàrantan ag iarraidh gum faigh an cuid chloinne Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig ach tha duilgheadasan an cois sin oir chan eil e ann mar chòir fhathast. 'S e rud a th' ann a tha sinn a' faotainn le deagh rùin agus tha sinn air leth taingeil airson an deagh rùn a tha sin ach tha sinn air a bhith beò leis an deagh rùn a tha sin a-niste airson grunn bhliadhnaichean agus 's e sin as coireach gu bheil sinne ag iarraidh gun tèid Inbhe Thèarainte thoirt dhan chànan agus gum bi còirichean aig pàrantan air Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig, chan e rudeigin a dh'fheumas iad a shireadh le làmh nan logaidh agus an dòchas gum bi Comhairlean bàigheil dhaibh.

I will respond first, and then Lachlan Dick will offer his thoughts. The last census showed that there were fewer than 70,000 Gaelic speakers. It was obvious that we were losing Gaelic speakers more quickly than we were replacing them. That was because of demographic trends—the old people are dying.

There is a demand from Gaelic learners. Although we do not have the exact figures, we believe that between 5,000 and 8,000 people in Scotland are learning Gaelic. It is obvious that parents want their children to be educated through the medium of Gaelic. However, there are difficulties with that because, as yet, such education is not available as a right; it is available only as a goodwill measure. We are thankful for that goodwill measure, but we have been living with it for a number of years. That is why we want secure status for our language—so that parents will have the right to Gaelic-medium education for their children. That should not be something that they have to keep scrounging for and chasing after; it should be theirs as a right.

Chan eil dà dhoigh nach eil an dùthaich seo gu math deireileach a thaobh a bhith a' togail an dàrna no an treas cànain tacsa ri dùthchannan eile. Tha mi duilich nach eil freagairt agam air carson a tha a' chùis mar sin—dh'fhaodadh duine tarraing air puing no dhà: gur e eilean a th' againn, gu bheil a' Bheurla fhèin cho neartmhor . . . ach chan eil freagairt agam air.

A thaobh a bhith togail suas àireamh, tha mi smaoineachadh gur e an rud as cudromaiche a thachair gu bheilear a niste a' tabhann teagasg tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig anns a' bhun-sgoil agus bhithinn an dòchas mean air mhean gum biodh sin a' leudachadh a-mach gu ruige na h-àird-sgoile.

Tha mi smaoineachadh gur e adhbhar, 's dòcha, nach eil inbhich a' tighinn gu ìre an an Gàidhlig gur 's math dh'fhaoidhe nach eil cùrsaichean leantainneach againn. Tha sinn ro thric a' cluinntinn ghearainnean bho dhaoine gu bheil iad a' dol gu clasaichean Gàidhlig agus gur e an aon rud a tha iad a' faighinn o bhliadhna gu bliadhna air sgàth agus nach eil àireamh gu leòr ann an aon àite, ann an aon bhaile, a leigeas leat cùrsaichean adhartach a chur air bhonn agus mar a dh'ainmich mi a thaobh cùrsa ìnntrigidh. 'S e sin aon dhen na rudan a bu mhiann an t-Sabhal a dhol an sàs ann agus feuchainn ri cùrsaichean leantainneach a dhealbh.

In comparison with other European countries, we in this country are very backward when it comes to having a second or third language. I regret that I do not have an answer to that problem—perhaps it is because English is so strong.

The most important thing that has happened to increase the number of Gaelic speakers is that we now offer Gaelic-medium education in primary schools. I hope that that will gradually be extended to secondary schools as well.

Many adult learners do not reach a high standard of spoken Gaelic. We often hear of them going to classes, but they do not seem to improve very fast, and are at the same level year after year. There are not enough Gaelic classes to cater for the different levels of learning. That is one of the things that Sabhal Mòr Ostaig would like to get involved in, to have progressive courses that would bring learners on from year to year.

We should consider the situation in the north of Scotland and compare it with the situation in Wales, where the Welsh language is spoken extensively throughout the north of Wales. It is the first language used in most news broadcasting on television and it is the natural first language of the inhabitants. Why has Wales managed to preserve the culture of speaking its native language while Gaelic has fallen by the wayside in Scotland?

Chan eil fhios 'am a bheil buaidh aige gur e coimhearsnachd gu math sgapte a tha niste ann a thaobh na Gàidhlig air sgàth 's gur e coimhearsnachdan eileanach a bh' ann agus nach robh na ceanglaichean ann a neartaicheadh Gàidhlig càch a chèile anns an dòigh 's dòcha a gheibh duine sa Chumrigh, agus gu ìre, chì duine an aon seòrsa suidheachadh ann an Eirinn cuideachd. 'S dòcha cuideachd air mar do thòischear air brosnachadh na cànain gu h-oifigeil gu bheil àireamh sluagh na Gàidhlig air crìonadh fada a bharrachd 's a bha sluagh na Cuimrigh 's tha sin ga dhèanamh nas duilghe a bhith a' togail na cùise a-rithist. Mur eil dad aig Ailean a chuireadh e ris.

I am not sure exactly why the difference exists. Communities of Gaelic speakers are scattered over a wide area and a number of island communities and Wales does not have that problem. Indeed, the situation in Ireland is similar: communities are scattered and that can create problems. Before we attempted to develop the language officially, the number of Gaelic speakers had diminished so far that our job of trying to resurrect the language was made more difficult.

Tha aon rud a chuirinn ris, 's e sin neach-cathraich gu bheil an suidheachadh a tha anns a' Chuimrigh an-diugh, airson a' chiad turais riamh aig a' chunntas-sluaigh mu dheireadh, bha àireamh òigridh fo chòig bliadhna fichead aig an robh Cuimris air tòiseachadh a' tionndadh suas. Agus sin an t-amas a th' againn agus feumaidh sin tachairt mus tòisich an àireamh iomlan air a dhol suas agus 's e an òigridh, a' Ghàidhlig fhaotainn air ais dhan òigridh.

Niste, thug na Cuimrich deich bliadhna fichead a' coilionadh sin, a dh'aindheoin 's gun robh dà Achd Pàrlamaid aca air an t-slighe agus Bòrd airson a' chànain, craoladh anns sa chànan 's a h-uile càil a tha sinne sireadh tro na h-Achdan a tha sinn ag iarraidh bhuaibhse, tha e acasan 's a dh'aindheoin sin thug a greis dhaibhsan cuideachd. Tuigidh sibh, tha mi an dòchas, ri linn sin, cho uamhasach fhèin cudromach 's a tha Achd Gàidhlig gu bhith dhuinn a-niste–Achd aig a bheil còirichean.

According to the most recent census, the number of people under 25 who speak Welsh has increased for the first time. That is our aim too. We want to increase the number of people under 25 who speak Gaelic. The Welsh took 30 years to fulfil that aim, despite having two acts along the way, a board to promote Welsh, and broadcasting in the language—everything that we are looking for in a Gaelic act. The Welsh had all those things but it still took a long time to get there, so I hope that members will understand how difficult it is to achieve our goals and how important a Gaelic act, an act that gives us rights, will be in doing so.

It is quite humbling that everybody on the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee has earphones slapped to their heads. That indicates the extent of the problem. It can be difficult for people of our mature age to think of learning a new language but it is not difficult at all for youngsters. Children of three, four, five or six can chat conversationally with ease in other languages. Do you feel that the way forward may be to be more forceful about what should go into a primary school curriculum? I gather that teaching Gaelic in primary schools is optional rather than mandatory.

You referred to the Welsh Language Act 1993. How has that worked? You said that it had made a positive contribution to heightening the awareness of the Welsh language in Wales. Why do you think that it has worked and why do you think that a Gaelic act would be helpful?

Togaidh mi air a' chiad phàirt. A thaobh Achd na Cuimris, tha mi smaoineachadh, chan urrainn dhomh bruidhinn le eòlas sònraichte air a' bhuaidh a bh' aig an Achd a tha sin ach tha mi a' smaoineachadh, gu ìre, gun robh iad anns an t-suidheachadh 's a bheil sinn fhìn–bha aca an toiseach ri dearbhadh gu robh rùn aig an t-sluagh gum biodh an cànan 's an dualchas a' dèanamh adhartais. 'S e sin a' chiad rud agus chaidh a' cheist a bha sin agus an t-amas a bha sin a chur romhainne mar Ghàidheil o chionn còig bliadhna deug air ais. Chaidh a ràdh rinn cha bhi an cànan agaibh beo ri linn gu bheil an Riaghaltas ag ràdh gum bu chòir dhith a bhith beò. Bidh i beò ri linn 's gu bheil sibhse airson gum bi i beò agus thuirt an Riaghaltas rinn aig an aon àm gum feumamaid dearbhadh gun robh sinne mar choimhearsnachd airson gun tachradh sin. Thairis air na còig bliadhna deug a chaidh seachad tha sinn a' smaoineachadh gu bheil sinn air sin a dhèarbhadh mar choimhearsnachd agus tha sinn a-niste a' tilleadh chun an Riaghaltais 's a ràdh riuthasan tha sinne a-niste air ar cuidne a dhèanamh dhen chiad cheum tha seo 's feumaidh sibhse a-niste taic agus tèarainteachd a thoirt dha na rinn sinne gu ruige seo ach an urrainn dhuinn an tuilleadh leasachaidh a dhèanamh. Agus 's e sin tha sinn ag iarraidh leis a' chiad Achd Gàidhlig tha seo thoireadh, chan eil mise smaoineachadh, 's gu dearbh bhithinn an dòchas nach b'e seo an aon Achd Gàidhlig a bheir sibh dhuinn anns an bliadhnaichean ri tighinn. Seo a' chiad cheum ach tha rudan ann a dh'fheumas a bhith innte mar foghlam, còirichean foghlaim agus mar sin air adhart.

I cannot speak with any specialist authority about the Welsh Language Act 1993, but I think that the situation of the Welsh language was to some extent similar to Gaelic's present situation. That act had to prove that the language was making great steps forward.

Fifteen years ago, we also had to show that we could regenerate the language. At that time, the Government told us that we had to show that, as a community, we wanted Gaelic to survive. We believe that, over the past 15 years, our community has proved that the Gaelic language will survive. Now we want to return to the Government and explain that we have done our part and that it must now support us and give our language secure status. We have done what we can, but the Government must help us out from now on. I hope not only that there will be a Gaelic act in the years to come, but that the Gaelic act will be an essential first step to secure educational rights for Gaelic speakers.

Cha reid mi gum bu mhiann leam a bhith faicinn gum biodh e mar fhiachaibh air daoine anns na sgoiltean a bhith ag ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig. Mura tig iad thuige gu saor-thoileach 's math dh'fhaoidhte nach bi an obair eifeachdail ach tha e deatamach a dh'aindheoin sin a ràdh gum biodh barrachd foghlaim mu Albann san fharsaingeachd ann an sgoiltean na h-Alba 's nan robh sin a' tachairt bhithinn a' sùileachadh 's a' dùileachadh gum biodh Gàidhlig na lùib ach gur e rud a bhiodh daoine a' dèanamh gu nàdarra an àit' e a bhith air a sparradh orrra.

We do not want to coerce pupils in primary schools into learning Gaelic, we want them to come to the language voluntarily; otherwise, Gaelic teaching will not be effective. Having said that, we think that Gaelic and the history of Gaelic Scotland should be more widely taught in schools. Those subjects should form a larger part of the curriculum. We do not want to force those subjects on people, but we hope that they will volunteer to study them.

Nam faodainns' leantainn air an sin 's a dhol air ais chun a' chiad phuing a thog a bhean-uasail Goldie. Chan eil teagamh sam bith nach eil e nas fhasa cànan ionnsachadh nuair a tha thu òg ach bhithinn an dòchas nach fhalbhadh sibh às an seo a' smaoineachadh nach eil e comasach do dhuin' agaibh a' Ghidhlig no cànan sam bith ionnsachadh aig an aois aig a bheil sibh. Tha tòrr, tòrr de luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig a tha cus nas sine na sibh fhèin 's mar sin tha mi 'n dòchas gur e misneachd a tha sin.

Tha sinn cuideachd ann an suidheachadh far a bheil mion-chànanan na Roinn Eòrpa a' faighinn barrachd ìomhaigh, agus tha sin uamhasach fhèin cudromach dha na rìoghachadan far a bheil na mion-chànanan agus tha na Riaghaltasan as na rìoghachdan sin uamhasach fhèin taiceil airson gum bi iad a' brosnachadh nam mion-chànanan tha sin. Tha iad ga fhaicinn mar bheairteas chultarach, nàiseanta air an aon dòigh agus a tha Riaghaltas Alba as an leabhran a dh'fhoillsich iad air Cultar Nàiseanta agus bhiodh sinn an dòchas gum biodh an taic sin a' leantann le suidheachadh na Gàidhlig.

I want to add to that and to go back to Miss Goldie's first question. Of course it is a lot easier to learn a language when one is very young, but we hope that no member will leave this building thinking that one cannot learn Gaelic, or any language, at a mature age. I hope that you are encouraged by the fact that there are people learning Gaelic who are a lot older than you are.

The minority languages of Europe are getting a greater profile. Governments in countries that have minority languages are very supportive of them, and feel that they are part of the cultural richness, as does the Scottish Government. We hope that that support will continue to be given.

We have a new test for Miss Goldie, to which we shall hold her.

I have received correspondence on this from parents in Ardnamurchan who say that children have to learn all in Gaelic or all in English. Some of them want their children to learn Gaelic as a language in primary school, but have found it difficult to have that happen. Do you agree that, rather than all or nothing, there should be more flexibility in primary schools?

Dh'fhaodainn a ràdh, dìreach an eòlas a bh' agam fhìn air Comhairle nan Eilean, gun robhar a' tabhann an roghainn a bha sin do phàrantan—gu faodadh iad teagasg tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig gu lèir air neo far an robh Gàidhlig mar phàirt de churriculum na sgoile gu nàdarra. Chan eil dà dhòigh air ge-tà a thaobh a bhith eifeachdach gur e teagasg tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig a nì feum.

Tha mi a' smaoineachadh gur e an rud a bhiomaid a' moladh mar cheann-uidhe gum bi roghainn, chan ann a-mhàin aig pàrantan a thaobh òigridh ach gum biodh roghainn aig inbhich cuideachd thoireadh tha sinn a' bruidhinn air foghlam fad beatha, sin pàirt dhen amas a th' agaibh pèin mar Chomataidh, sealltainn air na cothroman a tha sin agus air a' cheartas a tha còir a bhith aig daoine 's bhiomaid airson, mar cheann-uidhe, gum bi roghainn farsaing ann.

Ach tha e uamhasach cudromach a ràdh cuideachd, dhan chloinn a tha faotainn Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig gu bheil a' chlann a tha sin a' tighinn a-mach às an fhoghlam a tha sin fileanta ann am Beurla cuideachd. Tha daoine dualtach a bhith smaoineachadh gum bi a' chlann a tha sin le aon chànan aig deireadh bun-sgoile 's chan eil sin fìor idir. Tha dà chànan aca agus 's e, dà-rìribh, Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig foghlam dà-chànanach.

As someone who was with Western Isles Council, I can say that that option was given to parents in the Western Isles. They could choose Gaelic-medium education or could have Gaelic as part of the school curriculum. It is obvious that Gaelic-medium education is the most effective way of teaching Gaelic.

We propose that people should have a choice not only as parents for children, but as adults. We are talking about lifelong learning. Part of your aim is to show what the opportunities are for lifelong learning. People should have the opportunity to learn Gaelic at any stage of their lives.

It is important to note that children who receive Gaelic-medium education come out of primary schools bilingual. Some people think that they only have one language, but that is not true at all. The children are fluent in two languages. Gaelic-medium education is also, essentially, bilingual education.

Recently there was an unedifying episode about bilingual signs. It occurred to me that it might be helpful if there were a civil servant based in the Scottish Parliament, who could perhaps be known as a Gaelic development officer and who could ensure that the interests of Gaelic, which seem to me to cross the boundaries of a lot of policy areas, such as enterprise, transport, culture, education and tourism, are not overlooked in the scheme of things, as has happened in the past. That is for Allan.

Secondly, I understand that there is a shortage of Gaelic teachers, but, surprisingly, that the training of Gaelic teachers is currently dealt with at Jordanhill and not in the Highlands. Given that we are considering the University of the Highlands and Islands, do you recommend that that should be reviewed?

An toiseach a thaobh an oifigich ann am Pàrlamaid na h-Alba. Nuair a rinn Comunn an Gàidhlig tagradh chun an Riaghaltais a thaobh Inbhe Thèarainte dh'iarr sinn gum biodh oifigeach dhen t-seòrsa a tha sibh ag ainmeachadh air an stèidheachadh taobh a-staigh na seirbhis agus gum biodh an t-oifigeach sin cuideachd aig ìre gus gum biodh e no i air chomas rùn na Pàrlamaid a thaobh na Gàidhlig a chur air adhart.

Tha mi samoineachadh ann a bhith a ràdh sin gum feumainn cuideachd a ràdh gu bheil sinn ann an saoghal leasachaidh na Gàidhlig air leth mothachail air an taic ionmholta a fhuair sinn thairis air na bliadhnaichean bho na daoine a tha ag obair ann an Dun Eideann ann an Lunainn 's ann an iomadach àit' eile aig nach eil Gàidhlig idir 's tha mi smaoinachadh gu bheil e cudromach a ràdh ris an fheadhainn agaibh a bha faireachdainn beagan nàireach gur feumadh clogaidean a bhith oirbh airson ar tuigsinn, gu bheil sinn uamhasach mothachail air cho caoibhneil 's a tha sibh air a bhith a dh'aindheoin sin 's tha sinn a' cur luach mòr air an sin.

First, when CNAG made a submission to the Government on equal status, we asked that a Gaelic development officer be based in the Scottish Parliament and that such an officer should be able to speak on behalf of Gaelic bodies. We in the Gaelic development world are very grateful for the support that we have received from people working with us in London and Edinburgh who have no Gaelic. Members may be a little embarrassed about having to put on earphones today, but we are aware that, despite not speaking Gaelic, they are very supportive of the language.

A thaobh luchd-teagaisg, chan eil dà dhòigh nach e seo aon dhe na cnapan-starra as motha a tha mu choinneimh teagasg na Gàidhlig anns na sgoiltean. Tha gainnead mhòr ann agus chithear sanasan naidheachd bho àm gu àm bho na Comhairlean 's iad nan èiginn a' sireadh luchd-obrach. Bhiodh Sabhal Mòr gu math deònach a bhith an sàs ann an teagasg tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig do luchd-teagaisg agus tha sinn mar tha a' tabhann chùrsaichean do luchd-teagaisg a tha an ceann an cosnaidh. 'S e dh'iarramaid a-nis gluasad gu prìomh thrèanadh luchd-teagaisg. Tha duilgheadasan an lùib sin oir 's e trèanadh caran cosgail a tha ann agus tha iomadach cuspair co-cheangailte ri bhith trèanadh thidsearan—chan eil e mhàin an crochadh ri Gàidhlig, tha sgilean eile a dhìth. Agus, cuideachd, bhiomaid airson a bhith cinnteach nam b' e agus gun robh Sabhal Mòr agus Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd an sàs ann an seo gum biodh na tidsearan a bha sin aithnichte air feadh Alba gu lèir agus chan ann a-mhain airson teagasg na Gàidhlig ma 's e 's gur e tidsearan bhun-sgoile a bh' annta. 'S e seo rud air am bi sinn a' toirt sùil o àm gu àm. Tha sinn an-dràsda feitheamh co-dhùnaidhean sgrùdaidh a tha Comhairle Luchd-Teagaisg air neo an GTC a' gabhail os làimh. Aon uair 's gum faic sinn dè na co-dhùnaidhean a bhios an sin, bidh sinn ann an suidheacadh nas fheàrr air sùil a thoirt air dè ghabhas dèanamh chum leasachadh a thoirt air an t-suidheachadh.

The lack of Gaelic teachers is one of the main hurdles that faces Gaelic teaching in schools. We have all seen advertisements in the paper. Sabhal Mòr Ostaig would be willing to train teachers in the Gaelic medium and, indeed, we are already training teachers to help Gaelic-medium teachers. However, there are difficulties. The training is very expensive as many subjects are involved, and other skills besides a knowledge of Gaelic are needed to undertake such training. Furthermore, we would want to be sure that, if Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and the University of the Highlands and Islands were to be involved in teacher training, such teachers would be recognised throughout Scotland and not just for Gaelic-medium teaching. We are waiting for research findings from the General Teaching Council and look forward to using those findings to improve the situation with the lack of teachers.

Tapa leibh. Feasgar math chàirdean. 'S iomadh ceist a tha sinn air a thogail a thaobh saoghal na Gàidhlig an-diugh agus a rèir agus mar a tha mi a' tuigsinn tha mòran dhe na trioblaidean a th' againn ann an Gàidhlig air tachairt air sgàth nach eil sinn a' faighinn cnap mhath às an sporan ann an Dun Eideann ann an Lunainn no à ge bith cò às a tha e tighinn. Tha sinn a' cluinntinn mar a tha Cuimris, mar a thàinig i air adhart, mar chànan agus mar chultar, agus nam biodh sinne air thaighin, beagan dhen taic a fhuair iadsan. Ann an iomadach dòigh anns a' Chuimrigh, tha mi làn chinnteach gum biodh Gàidhlig mòran na bu làidire na tha i an-diugh.

Ach a dh'aindheoin sin, chan eil còir againn, tha mi dèanamh dheth, a bhith a' gearainn cus. Mar a tha mi fhìn, tha mi coimhead air ais can thairis air fichead bliadhna no beagan a bharrachd air an sin, tha mi faicinn na ceumannan a rinn sinn ann an saoghal na Gàidhlig. Cha robh leithid ri Sabhal Mòr Ostaig againn, cha robh mòran a' tighinn a-mach air telebhisean no air rèidio agus dh'atharraich sin. Cha mhòr nach eil sinn a' faighinn Gàidhlig air an rèidio fad an latha no pìos, cnap math dheth. Tha sinn a' faighinn nan naidheahdan ann an Gàidhlig air Tì-Bhì agus leis an sin tha mi fhìn car toilichte gu bheil a leithid sin a' tachairt ach, dh'aindheoin sin, tha mòran ri dhèanamh fhathast.

Bha sinn a' cluinntinn mu dheidhinn cnap-starra far nach eil sinn a' faighinn gu leòr luchd-teagaisg a' dol a-staigh airson teagasg tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig. Carson a tha sin? Uill, chan eil mi ro chinnteach ach tha mi làn chinnteach gur e nach eil iad dhen bheachd gu bheil seo dol a' leantainn agus nach eil tuarasdal àrd gu leòr ann airson sin ach chan ann mar sin a tha sinn a' coimhead air a' ghnothach idir.

Chì thu gun robh adhartas mòr air a dhèanamh: tha sinn a' teagasg ann an clasaichean Shradagan, Chròileagan agus anns na bun-sgoiltean tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig. Tha mòran dhen sin a' tachairt anns a' Ghàidhealtachd agus ann an àitean eile ann an Alba. Agus tha Sabhal Mòr Ostaig a-nis toirt cùrsaichean seachad dìreach mar a bhiodh iad ann an Oilthigh ann an Sruighlea no ann an Obar Dheathain no àite sam bith eile. Ach tha cnap-starra eadar a' bhun-sgoil agus a' cholaisde mar Sabhal Mòr Ostaig—chan eil cothrom aig a' chloinn a dhol a-staigh chun an àird-sgoile agus leantainn le bhith ag ionnsachadh tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig anns na h-àrd-sgoiltean agus gus am bi luchd-teagaisg againn airson an obair a tha dol air adhart anns na bun-sgoiltean leantainn air adhart gu na h-àrd-sgoiltean, tha mi dèanamh dheth gum bi trioblaid againn. Chan eil fhios 'am ciamar a tha sibh a' coimhead air an sin?

Good afternoon, friends. We have raised many questions about the Gaelic world today, and I believe that many of the problems associated with Gaelic stem from the fact that Edinburgh and London do not give us our fair share of money. We keep hearing how the Welsh language and culture have developed. We have received some of the assistance that the Welsh have received; but more assistance would make Gaelic language and culture healthier than it is.

I do not want to complain too much. Looking back over 20 years, I can see what steps the Gaelic world has taken. We had nothing like Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and there was very little Gaelic on radio or TV. That has changed. Now, we have Gaelic on the radio for a good part of the day and news in Gaelic on TV. We have come a long way with such developments. However, there is still a lot to do; for example, we have heard about the lack of Gaelic teachers. I am not too sure why there is such a lack; perhaps people think that the salary is not large enough or that Gaelic-medium teaching is only a phase.

There are other developments that we should mention, such as Gaelic youth and pre-school groups, and a lot is happening with Gaelic in primary schools in the Highlands and in other areas. Sabhal Mòr Ostaig now provides courses that can be found in Stirling, Aberdeen or any other college or university. However, we still need to do something about the link between primary school and college. There needs to be continuity in Gaelic-medium education in secondary school and that will be a problem until we have such teachers in secondary school. How do you see that situation developing?

Chanainns' an toiseach a thaobh an adhartais, gu bheil sibh ceart dha-rìribh agus tha mi smaoineachadh a h-uile duin' againn a tha sàs ann an saoghal leasachaidh na Gàidhlig, nuair a bhios sinn a' call misneachd, gum bi sinn a' beachdachadh air ais air na rudan nach robh againn deich bliadhna air ais agus a' tarraing misneachd, tha mi samoineachadh, às an sin.

Thog sibh a' cheist carson nach eil barrachd dhaoine ag iarraidh a dh'ionnsaigh teagasg tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig, 's tha mi fhìn a' smaoineachadh gu bheil caochladh adhbharan ann mar a bha sibh ag ràdh ach 's e fear dhe na rudan a tha buntainn ris a h-uile pàirt de bheatha na Gàidhlig 's e dìth misneachd. Chan e idir gu bheil na daoine le dìth misneachd annta fhèin mar dhaoine ach tha dìth misneachd aca nan cànan fhèin thoireadh cha d' fhuair iad a-riamh a' mhisneachadh a tha sin a chur annta. Thàinig iad à coimhearsnachdan agus à saoghal foghlaim far nach robhas a' cur dhachaidh orra gun robh luach eaconomaigeach sam bith as a' chànan a tha seo 's bheir e greis mas atharraich thu an suidheachadh a tha sin.

Agus a thaobh Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig gu sònraichte tha e uamhasach cudromach a ràdh chun a bheil sin ann mar chòir, chun a bheil cothrom aig pàrantan an cuid chloinne a chur tro Fhoghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig mar chòir, 's fhios aca gum bi sin stèidhichte mar rud a th' aca mar chòir 's nach gabh e a thoirt bhuapa, nach bi Comhairle a ràdh tha sinn gann de dh'airgead am bliadhna 's tha sinn dol a chur as dha. Aon uair 's gu bheil sin againn, cuiridh fada bharrachd phàrantan feum air. Chun an tachair sin, cha bhi iad cinnteach, cha bhi a' mhisneachd acasan as an siostam a tha sin agus aig an aon àm chan eil misneachd aig an luchd-teagaisg mar a bha sibh ag ràdh. Dè chinnt a tha aig neach-teagaisg a' dol gu Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig an-dràsda gu bheil saoghal cosnaidh romhpa far am faod iad adhartas a dhèanamh nan dreuchd. Chan eil, chan eil sin ann. Tha sinn an dòchas gun tig e, ach chan eil e ann fhathast agus tha an dìth misneachd a tha sin, tha mi smaoineachadh, bualadh air a h-uile càil.

Aon rud eile chanainn cuideachd, 's e nuair a bha sibh a' bruidhinn air ionmhas agus feum ionmhais, 's e pàirt dhen an rud a tha fìor a thaobh obair leasachaidh sam bith, co-dhiù 's e obair leasachaidh eaconomaigeach na obair leasachaidh as a bheil sinne sàs ann an seadh cultarach, ma tha thu soirbheachadh, tha an obair ag iarraidh an tuilleadh taice, an tuilleadh airgid. Agus tha fhios 'am gu feumta ràdh aig ìre a choreigin chan urrainn dhut a bhith dìreach a' cur ris a' mhaoin fad na h-ùine. Ach ma tha thu a' tòiseachadh aig ìre tha uamhasach ìosal ged a bhiodh tu a' dùblachadh na tha thu a' cur ris airson ceud bliadhna, 's dòcha nach bi thu fhathast ach aig ìre gu math beag.

Tha sinne ann an suidheachadh a thaobh na Gàidhlig gu bheil sinn a' bruidhinn air rudeigin a bhuinneas do dhulachas Alba 's ma bhàsaicheas a' Ghàidhlig ann an Alba, bidh i marbh anns an t-saoghal. Caillidh sinn i. Chan eil dachaigh eile aig a' Ghàidhlig, tha e mar uallach air an rìoghachd a tha seo, air Alba, an dìleab a tha seo a ghlèidheadh. Chan eil e mar uallach air duine sam bith eile sin a dhèanamh dhuinn, tha e mar uallach oirnne agus ma tha luach againn nar cànain agus anns an dìleab a tha seo feumaidh sinn dèanamh cinnteach gun glèidh. Agus mar a thuirt mi ribh na bu tràithe, far a bheil barrachd de sheann daoine againn na tha againn de dhaoin' òga, 's na seann daoine sin gan call bliadhna thar bliadhna chan eil mòran ùine againn airson an glèidheil a tha seo a dhèanamh air an dualachas a tha seo. 'S e sin as coireach gu bheil sinn a' tighinn ann an seo gun mhasladh sam bith a ràdh ribh tapa-leibh airson na tha sibh air a chur ris an seo ach feumaidh sibh tuilleadh a chur ris ma tha sinn dol a shàbhaladh na Gàidhlig. Fumaidh maoin a bhith againn cho math ri laghan.

Everything that Mr Munro has said about the development of Gaelic is true. Although everyone involved with this issue is a wee bit discouraged, we draw some encouragement from the steps that have been taken in the past 10 years.

Mr Munro raised the point about why people do not want to go into Gaelic-medium teaching. One of the main reasons for that is a lack of confidence, which touches on every aspect of Gaelic. It is not that people lack self-confidence, but that they lack confidence in their own language because they were never encouraged from an early age to believe in it. They came from communities where there was no economic value in the language, so it will take a while to reverse that trend.

It is very important to have Gaelic-medium education as a right. The right of parents to have their children educated in Gaelic should be inalienable: councils should not be able to scrap Gaelic-medium education because they are short of funds. Once that right is assured, more people will avail themselves of the opportunity for Gaelic-medium education. Even teachers are unsure of the opportunities for promotional advancement in Gaelic-medium education. However, although we hope that Gaelic-medium education can be guaranteed, it does not look likely that it will.

John Farquhar Munro spoke about funds. Something that is true of any development work, economic or cultural, is that, if it is successful, the work will demand more money. I know that resources cannot simply be added continually, but if the initial level is low, even a hundred years of doubling it will still result in a small sum.

Gaelic is a unique part of the heritage of Scotland and if it dies in Scotland, it dies in the world—it has no other home. It is the responsibility of this Government to save our heritage and to keep our language alive. More old folk than young folk speak Gaelic, so we are losing a lot of Gaelic speakers. We do not have much time to create a Gaelic renaissance. We come here today, without embarrassment, to thank you for what you have done so far and also to say that more must be done. If we are to save the language, we will need more money as well as legislation on language.

I was impressed by the fact that the Gaelic college's website got 1,000 hits a week. What do you think, Mr Dick, of the inevitable and inexorable spread of the internet and the influence that it will have on all cultures? Do you see that as an opportunity for Gaelic culture or as a threat? Beyond the obvious potential for access to Gaelic courses, do you have any ambitions to exploit the internet?

Dìreach as a' chiad dhol a-mach gun comharraichinn teicneòlas fiosrachaidh mar dheagh chothrom dhan chànan thoireadh 's e aon dhe na duilgheadasan a tha romhainn 's e cho sgapte 's a tha a' choimhearsnachd againn 's gur e seo dòigh air ceangal a dhèanamh ann an dòigh a bhios gu math nas fhasa. Tha sinn a' cur romhainn a bhith sàs ann an teagasg aig astar a' cleachdadh teicneòlas fiosrachaidh ach a bharrachd air an sin agus nas fharsainge, thug mi tarraing mar tha air Tobar an Dualchais far a bheil sinn a' sùileachadh ochd mìle deug uair de bheul-aithris Albais agus Gàidhlig a chur air an eadar-lìon agus tha mi glè chinnteach ma thèid sin leinn gum bi obraichean an uair sin ag èirigh as an sin.

Chòrdadh e ris a' Cholaisde cuideachd a bhith sàs ann a bhith a' cruthachadh obraichean a' cleachdadh an eadar-lìon. Tha mi glè chinnteach gum b' urrainn dhuinn a bhith sàs ann an cùrsachan goirid a' cleachdadh nan goireasan a tha sin. Faodaidh sinn a bhith gu math cinnteach gum bi a' Cholaisde gu mòr an sàs ann an teicneòlas fiosrachaidh. Tha i cheana sas gu ìre mhath.

I think that information technology is a good opportunity for the language. One of the main problems that we have is the fact that the Gaelic-speaking community is scattered. The internet is one way of bringing the community closer together. We hope to develop distance learning using information technology and we hope to have 18,000 hours of Gaelic and Scots on the internet, as I said earlier. If all goes well with that, jobs will follow on from it. We also want to create jobs in connection with the internet. We can be sure that the college would be very involved and would take full advantage of information technology to meet those ends.

'S ma dh'fhaodas mi ràdh neach-cathraich, mholamaid do bhuill a' Chomataidh coimhead air an site againn. Tha mòran rudan inntinneach air a thaobh na Gàidhlig agus na Colaisde agus rudan eile agus ma tha cothrom agaibh thigibh thuige.

I would like to recommend to the members of the committee that they look at our website, which attracts 100,000 people. There are many interesting facts on our website, and I urge members to visit it when they have the opportunity.

Tha coimhearsnachdan eile air feadh nan Eileanan agus air Ghàidhealtachd a tha sàs ann am pròiseactan a tha gu math inntinneach a tha a' sealltainn an dualchais agus an stòras a tha aca air an eadar-lìon. Mar eisimpleir tha Taigh Arainn shìos ann an Eilean Arainn far a bheil eadar-lìon mìorbhaileach aca an sin agus iad a' sealltainn na th' aca anns an Eilean agus Eachdraidh na Gàidhlig, Eachdraidh a' Chìuil agus ginealaich an àite. Tha cuideachd eadar-lìon aca ann an sgìre Nis a tha a' toirt a-staigh pàipear coimhearsnachd agus pàirt de phrògraman rèidio. Tha sinn a' dèanamh tòiseach tòiseachaidh air ach tha tòrr ri dhèanamh fhathast agus tha cothroman mòra a' tighinn an lùib sin.

There are other communities throughout the Highlands and Islands which are involved in different projects. Taigh Arrainn on the isle of Arran has an excellent website, which records the history and culture of the island. In Ness in Lewis in the Western Isles, there is a website that carries the local newspaper. That is just a start, but there are many other related opportunities.

I spent some time in Wales and I was very aware that it was a bilingual society. Everything from road signs to cash machines is bilingual. I came away with the strong impression that, while many things contribute towards the survival and renaissance of a language, one of the key things had been the provision of Welsh-language education. Do you agree with that?

To what extent do parents in the Highlands and Islands have the opportunity to send their children to receive Gaelic-medium education? What percentage of children have access to that?

Chan eil dà dhòigh air gur e bogadh as a' chànan an dòigh air a' chànan ionnsachadh—'s e sin an dòigh a bhios clann ag ionnsachadh cànain gu nàdarra. Chan eil e fìor a ràdh gu bheil cothrom an còmhnaidh aig pàrantan ma tha iad ag iarraidh Foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig thoireadh as a bhitheantas bidh na Comhairlean Ionadail a' sireadh àireamh sònraichte mus tèid iad air adhart le clas Gàidhlig no clas tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig. Tha cuid dhe na Comhairlean a bheir còmhdhail do chloinn gu ruige an sgoil Ghàidhlig as fhaisge agus tha sin na chuideachadh cuideachd. Cha leig iad a leas a dhol dhan sgoil sa sgìre aca fhèin, faodaidh iad taghadh a dhol dhan sgoil sa bheil Gàidhlig. 'S e aon dhe na duilgheadasan cuideachd a tha aig na Comhairlean, agus feumaidh sinn aideachadh, gu bheil iad rud beag amharasach, uaireannan, a dhol air adhart le teagasg tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig air sgàth a' ghainnid luchd-teagaisg a dh'fhaodas a bhith ann agus 's e mealladh a th' ann nuair a bhios Comhairle ann an èiginn a' sireadh luchd-teagaisg airson nan clasaichean a tha aca mar tha.

Immersion in a language is the best way to learn that language. That is the way in which children learn language naturally. It is not true to say that every parent has the opportunity to send his or her child to a Gaelic-medium school. Usually, the local council looks for a certain number of entrants before it is willing to go ahead with a Gaelic-medium class. Some councils provide transport for children to go to the Gaelic-medium school that is nearest to them and that is a great help. The councils have other difficulties. They are wary of going ahead with Gaelic-medium education because of the lack of teachers that are available.

Tha mi smaoineachadh gu bheil sin ceart agus rud eile a chuirinn ris an sin gun robh, gu bho chionn glè ghoirid, mòran phàrantan, 's dòcha, nach robh annta fhèin uamhasach cinnteach an robh a' chlann dol a dhèanamh fìor adhartais ann an Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig—an robh e dol gan cumail air ais? 'S dòcha gu bheil e fìor a ràdh gun robh feadhainn dhen luchd-teagaisg a bha dhen bheachd sin cuideachd. Ach air an t-seachdainn seo chaidh chaidh aithisg uamhasach cudromach fhoillseachadh bho Oilthigh Shruighlea bhon an t-Ollamh Richard Johnston far a bheil dearbhadh cinnteach, chan e mhàin gu bheil Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig buannachdail ach ann an cuid a shuidhichean, gu bheil a' chlann a tha ag obair tro Fhoghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig a' dèanamh nas fheàrr na chlann a tha faotainn foghlam tro mheadhan na Beurla a-mhàin. Tha sin cuideachd a' cur ris an aon seòrsa co-dhùnaidhean a nochd as a' Chuimrigh—'s e fìor naidheachd chudromach a tha sin—'s e naidheachd chudromach a tha sin tha mi smaoineachadh dha pàrantan a tha beachdachadh air dà-chànanas san fharsaingeachd, 's dòcha ioma cànain dhan chloinn aca.

Tha e fìor a ràdh An Roinn Eòrpa a tha romhainn, 's e Roinn Eòrpa a tha ann anns am bi ioma cànain, chan e Roinn Eorpa fiu 's le dà chànan. Agus an rud mu dheireadh a chuirinn ris an sin, 's e an rud a thuirt Dòmhnall Màrtainn na bu tràithe. Tha gu h-oifigeil a-nise, a rèir aithris bho Phàrlamaid na h-Eòrpa fhèin, còrr air dà fhichead millean neach as an Roinn Eòrpa a' bruidhinn mion-chànan 's chan eil an suidheachadh a th' againn an seo le Gàidhlig na annas—tha an aon seòrsa suidhichean gan coinneachadh 's gan cothachadh air feadh na Roinn Eòrpa gu ìre gu beag no gu mòr an siud 's an seo ach tha còrr air dà fhichead millean duine a' bruidhinn mion-chànanan as an Roinn Eòrpa.

That is true. Until recently, many parents were not sure whether their children would make great strides in Gaelic-medium education or whether it would hinder them. Even some of the teachers had that misconception. Last week, however, an important report was published by Richard Johnstone of the University of Stirling which showed that Gaelic-medium education is not only important, but that children in it are doing as well, if not better, than those in English-medium education. That confirms what has already been said about Welsh-medium education. Parents who look favourably on bilingualism in general were happy with the results of the report.

Europe will have many languages, not just two —it will be multi-lingual. More than 40 million people in the European Union speak a minority language, so the Gaelic situation is not unusual. The same challenges, at least to some extent, exist in other minority language countries throughout Europe.

Before I bring this part of the inquiry to a close, are there any final remarks?

I want to thank you, convener, and recommend the excellent short courses provided by Sabhal Mòr, which may reduce the need for earphones on the next occasion.

That is wise advice and I am sure that many of us will follow it. I visited Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in another guise many years ago and was impressed by the facilities. I am delighted to hear about the expansion plans there and extremely interested in the information that has been given to us.

It is part of this committee's remit to scrutinise the Executive's actions in relation to the Gaelic language. I know that the Executive is anxious to pursue the development of the language in a bipartisan way, which is welcome. We will certainly return to discuss the matter further in due course.

I am also pleased that John Munro has been able to make his contribution to this meeting in Gaelic, which is an opportunity that has not always been available to him in the institution of the Scottish Parliament, if I can put it as delicately as that. I also want to record our thanks to the interpreters, whose translations have been very helpful.

I look forward to seeing everyone again. Thank you.