Comhairle nan Eilean Siar was one of the first national organisations to have its Gaelic Language Plan endorsed by Bòrd nan Gàidhlig.
Culture Minister Linda Fabiani launched the Comhairle’s Gaelic Plan whilst on an official tour of the Western Isles and also announced a Gaelic conference which will be jointly organised by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Bord na Gaidhlig on the 12th of September in Lewis.
The theme of the conference will be, “Moving forward with Gaelic in the community.”
Speaking at the launch in Lewis today the Minister said: “I would like to congratulate Comhairle nan Eilean Siar for launching its Gaelic Language Plan today. It will ensure that Gaelic speakers in the Western Isles have increased opportunities to use their own language when accessing local services.
“The Scottish Government has an ambitious programme to raise the profile of Gaelic in public life and to ensure that the language has a sustainable future. Gaelic Language Plans have a crucial contribution to make, setting set out how authorities will use and promote the language in provision of public services.
Alex MacDonald, Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, commented: “We are delighted that the Minister is with us to-day to launch the Comhairle’s Gaelic Language Plan. The Plan will be the main driving force in the Comhairle’s efforts to meet the aspirations of the people of the Western Isles in relation to Gaelic. The Comhairle will work closely with the community, Gaelic organisations in the Western Isles, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and the Government to assist in the national revitalization of Gaelic at this exciting time for the language.”
“Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is the second local authority in Scotland to have its Gaelic Language Plan ratified by Bòrd na Gàidhlig. I look forward to more public bodies’ plans coming into force, and the benefits these will bring to Gaelic-speaking communities and to Scotland.”
B’ e Comhairle nan Eilean Siar fear de na chiad buidhnean nàiseanta a fhuair aonta Bòrd na Gàidhlig mu choinneimh am Plana Cànan.
Dh’fhoillsich Ministear a’ Chultair, Linda Fabiani, Plana Canan na Comhairle fhad ‘s a bha ì air turas oifigeil anns na h-Eileanan an Iar agus dh’ ainmich ì cuideachd gum biodh co-labhairt air a chur air dòigh le Comhairle nan Eilean Siar agus Bòrd na Gàidhlig air 12 Sultain ann an Leòdhas.
Se cuspair a’ cho-labhairt “A’ gluasad air adhart le Gàidhlig anns a’ choimhearsnachd.”
A’ bruidhinn aig an fhoillseachaidh an diugh thuirt am Ministear: “Bu mhath leam meal-a-naidheachd a chur air Comhairle nan Eilean Siar ann a bhith a foillseachadh am Plana Cànan an diugh. Bi seo a’ toirt an tuilleadh chothrom do luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig anns na h-Eileanan an Iar air an cànan a chleachdadh ann a bhith a dèiligeadh ri seirbheisean ionadail.
Tha prògram àrd-amais aig an Riaghaltas gu inbhe na Gàidhlig a thogail ann am beatha phoblach agus gu dèanamh cinnteach gum bi an cànan maireannach. Tha buaidh mhòr gu bhith aig na Planaichean Cànan Gàidhlig ann a bhith a’ mìneachadh mar a bhiod ùghdarrais a cleachdadh agus a brosnachadh a’ chànain ann a bhith a’ lìbhrigeadh seirbheisean phoblach.
“S’ e Comhairle nan Eilean Siar an dara ùghdarras ionadail an Alba far a bheil Bòrd na Gàidhlig air aontachadh ri Plana Cànan. Bidh e inntinneach a bhith a’ coimhead an tuilleadh bhuidhnean poblach a’ tighinn air adhart le planaichean agus na buannachdan a thig as an seo do choimhearsnachdan na Gàidhlig ann an Alba”.
Thuirt Ailig Dòmhnallach, Neach-gairm Chomhairle nan Eilean Siar: “ Tha sinn air leth toilichte gu bheil am Ministear còmhla rinn an diugh gu Plana Cànan na Comhairle a chur air bhog. Bidh am Plana na iùil airson oidhirpean na Comhairle gu coinneachadh ri rùn sluagh nan Eilean Siar ann an dàimh ri Gàidhlig.
“Obraichidh a’ Chomhairle gu dlùth ris a’ choimhearsnachd, buidhnean Gàidhlig anns na h-Eileanan an Iar, Bòrd na Gàidhlig agus an Riaghaltas gu taic a chuir ri ath-bheothachadh Nàiseanta air Gàidhlig aig an àm eachdraidheil airson a’ chànain”.
