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The Gaelic Language Bill
Consultation Paper

Section 1: Introduction

This document has been prepared by the Scottish Executive. It contains a draft Bill and supporting text. The Scottish Executive is committed to delivering a Gaelic Language Act. The Executive recognises that this is the clearly expressed wish of the Gaelic community. The Bill is also intended to secure the place of the Gaelic language as a living part of Scottish life, to promote the use of Gaelic in Scotland and increase the appreciation of its place and value in Scottish culture.

The draft Bill provides for the establishment of a body to be known as Bòrd na Gàidhlig, whose main function will be to promote the use and understanding of Gaelic. The draft Bill also places a duty on public bodies in Scotland to consider the need for Gaelic language plans in relation to the services they offer.

The draft Bill is in three parts. The first part (sections 1 to 4), establishes Bòrd na Gàidhlig. The second part (sections 5 to 8), provides the detail on Gaelic language plans and the third part (sections 9 to 12), covers some general provisions. There are also three schedules to the Bill.

This supporting text has been prepared in order to assist the reader in understanding the policy objectives and the specific aims of the draft Bill. The supporting text will also inform the reader about the background to this draft Gaelic Language Bill and explore related issues.

The supporting text is not a comprehensive description of the Bill and where a section in this Bill does not seem to require comment, none is given. Questions are included to assist the reader in the consultation process but these need not limit or restrict the reader's response.

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