Freagart do Rosie bhon Bhòrd

[Gràisg]

Fhuair mi leth bhreac de na leanas. Tha Mgr Rosie (Gallaibh) air a bhith dripeil trang a rithist:
Gheibhear a chuid amaideas/aineolais as ùire an seo:
http://www.foramnagaidhlig.net/foram/vi ... php?t=1304


'Seo am freagairt aig B na G bhon Cathraiche

Bòrd na Gàidhlig is very familiar with Mr Rosie’s oft-repeated views. He chooses on every occasion not to address the Bòrd directly, despite an invitation from the Chair to meet at any time. He has also refused to discuss these matters at a public meeting in his own area. He has never passed on any of the evidence he claims are the views of his constituents.

The Highland Council was very proud to display its Gaelic credentials as the first local authority to produce a Gaelic Plan. The Highland Council itself produced the Plan, and it was approved by the Bòrd. It has to be made clear that this was a requirement under an Act of the Scottish Parliament, and should not be taken lightly. In the same way as Highland Councillors represent the views of the people in their wards, MSPs represent the views of people in their constituencies. The Gaelic Language Act was passed unopposed by all parties in the Scottish Parliament. Given that it went through the proper democratic process, the Bòrd would see no need for any further referendum and would suggest that the cost of conducting one would probably be more than the Highland Council spends on Gaelic in a year.

Significant funding has been given to the Highland Council to fulfil its own aspirations and Mr Rosie will no doubt be surprised to know that the Council has not, in fact, spent all of that money. The Bòrd disputes Mr Rosie’s view that spending on Gaelic is to the detriment of other children and services and wonders where the millions of pounds he thinks is being spent on Gaelic by the Highland Council is coming from. He should ask officials for a breakdown of exactly how much the Highland Council does spend on Gaelic from its own resources.

The option of a Gaelic education is a choice given to parents under the 1980 Education Act and Mr Rosie should realise that Gaelic schools and units need teachers too. The development of Gaelic, and the employment opportunities arising from it, should be seen as positive in the current economic climate. If teachers are in danger of losing their jobs, we hope they would see Gaelic as a useful additional skill and would welcome them learning the language to get them back into work.

Cllr Rosie is no doubt aware that Gaelic speakers pay the same taxes as everyone else and that the Scottish Government’s support for Gaelic through the Gaelic Language Act is matched by significant financial support which Highland Council has been only too willing to accept. The Highland Council itself collects at least 5 times as much in Council Tax from Gaelic speakers than it spends on supporting the language. Given that the spend by the Council is less than a quarter of one percent of its overall budget, it is difficult to see how such a small expenditure has the disproportionate detrimental effect on other services that Cllr Rosie claims.

As to his claims about not being anti-Gaelic, people can make their own minds up about that. There is an open door at the Bòrd for Mr Rosie to come and see how the Bòrd works and we repeat our invitation to discuss these matters publicly with us. Meantime, we will continue to work with Highland Council on the basis that they are going to deliver the Gaelic Plan which it prepared and agreed, and which was approved by us.'

[GunChleoc]

Given that it went through the proper democratic process, the Bòrd would see no need for any further referendum and would suggest that the cost of conducting one would probably be more than the Highland Council spends on Gaelic in a year.

Abair deagh phuing a tha seo. Mountains and molehills, much?

[Seonaidh]

'S e diversionary tactic a th' ann. Tha mi a' creidsinn gum bi fios aig Roisin nach buannaich e ach bidh rudan mar seo a' gabhail uine a' Bhùird agus ga dhèanamh nas lugha buadhach.