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In line with the Scottish Government's commitment to ensuring a sustainable future for Gaelic, Minister for Culture Linda Fabiani today appointed a Deputy Chair at Bòrd na Gàidhlig (BnG) to provide continuity of leadership following Matthew MacIver's decision to step down as Chair.

After leading BnG through its early life, Matthew MacIver CBE has tendered his resignation as Chair in order to take up a professorship at the University of Highlands and Islands Millennium Institute.

“To ensure strong leadership within this key public body Linda Fabiani has asked Arthur Cormack, who currently serves on the Board, to become Deputy Chair.

Ms Fabiani said: "Matthew MacIver has devoted real effort and energy to Bòrd na Gàidhlig in its early years of operation. I commend the contribution he has made to building a strong and successful future for Gaelic in Scotland and wish him success in his new post at the University of Highlands and Islands Millennium Institute.

"As testament to the importance this Government places on the promotion of Gaelic, I have appointed Arthur Cormack to the position of Deputy Chair.

“Arthur has been instrumental in driving forward change and leadership at Bòrd na Gàidhlig and I am confident he will provide strong direction and continuity for the body. The Bòrd will now begin the process of electing an interim Chair.

"As it moves into its next phase, I am certain that Bòrd na Gàidhlig will build on recent progress with the Gaelic Language Plans and develop a more strategic approach to delivering this Government's ambitious plans for the language. The Gaelic community rightly demand and deserve strong, unequivocal support and the Scottish Government is committed to a sustainable future for Gaelic."

It is the responsibility of the Board of BnG to elect an interim Chair for the body. This will allow time for the appointment of a new Chair subject to the normal public appointments process ensuring a full fair and open competition. As with most permanent public appointments, it is for Ministers to make the final decision.

Changes at Bòrd na Gàidhlig                                                                            1/7/08

An co-chòrdadh ri dealas Riaghaltas na h-Alba ann a bhith a' dèanamh cinnteach gum bi a' Ghàidhlig seasmhach san àm ri teachd, tha Ministear a' Chultair Linda Fabiani an-diugh air ainmeachadh dreuchd ùr Leas Chathraiche do Bhòrd na Gàidhlig (BnG) gus leantainneachd a thoirt do cheannas a' Bhùird an dèidh do Mhata MacÌomhair ainmeachadh gun robh e a' leigeil dheth a dhreuchd mar Chathraiche.

An dèidh dha a bhith na cheannard air BnG on àm a chaidh a steidheachadh, tha Mata MacÌomhair CBE air a dhreuchd a leigeil dheth mar Chathraiche gus a bhith na Àrd-ollaimh aig Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd 's nan Eilean UHIMI. Gus dèanamh cinnteach gum bi ceannardas làidir taobh a-staigh a' bhuidheann phoblaich chudromach seo tha Linda Fabiani air iarraidh air Art MacCarmaig, a tha a cheana air a' Bhòrd, a bhith na Leas Chathraiche.

Thuirt Ms Fabiani: "Tha Mata MacIomhair air oidhirp agus spionnadh mòr a chur dhan obair a rinn e às leth Bhòrd na Gàidhlig sna bliadhnaichean on chaidh a stèidheachadh. Tha mi airson moladh an obair a rinn e ann a bhith a' cur air chois stèidh làidir agus sheasmhach dhan Ghàidhlig san àm ri teachd agus tha mi a' guidhe gach soirbheachadh dha na dhreuchd ùr aig Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd 's nan Eilean UHIMI.

Mar dhearbhadh air cho cudromach 's a tha an Riaghaltas a' meas adhartachadh na Gàidhlig, tha mi air Art MacCarmaig a shuidheachadh san dreuchd ùr mar Leas Chathraiche. Tha Art air a bhith gu mòr an sàs ann a bhith a' brosnachadh atharrachadh agus ceannardas aig Bòrd na Gàidhlig agus tha mi cinnteach gun toir e stiùireadh làidir agus leantaileas don bhuidhinn. Bidh am Bòrd a-nis an sàs ann a bhith a' taghadh Cathraiche Eadar-amail.

Fhad 's a bhithear a' gluasad air adhart chun ath ìre, tha mi làn chinnteach gun lean Bòrd na Gàidhlig air a' togail air an adhartas a chaidh a dhèanamh o chionn ghoirid le planaichean Gàidhlig agus gun leasaich e dòigh nas ro-innleachdail gus planaichean glòr-mhiannach an Riaghaltais seo a libhrigeadh. Tha coimhearsnachd na Gàidhlig, mar a tha còir aice agus mar a shùileachamaid a' sireadh taic làidir gun cheist agus tha Riaghaltas na h-Alba gu dealasach air cùl seasmhachd dhan Gàidhlig san àm ri teachd."

Tha e mar dhleastanas air Bòrd BnG Cathraiche Eadar-amail a shuidheachadh airson na buidhne. Bheir seo cothrom Cathraiche ùr a shuidheachadh tron phròiseas àbhaisteach a thaobh a bhith a' suidheachadh dhaoine ann an dreuchdan poblach a ni cinnteach gum bi farpais fhosgailte agus iomchaidh ann. Leis gach dreuchd poblach fad-ùine, is ann aig na Ministearan a bhios am facal mu dheireadh sa cho-dhunadh.