Green secure dozens of changes to Gaelic and Scots bill
Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer has secured dozens of changes to a bill covering the Gaelic and Scots languages, including requirements for public bodies to treat Gaelic with equal respect to English and extending the duties in the bill to other bodies such as Scottish universities and ScotRail.
The Green MSP had lodged 46 of the 97 amendments to the Scottish Languages Bill, which were considered by a parliamentary committee this morning. The overall intention of his amendments and of the bill are to protect and support Gaelic and Scots, recognising in particular that Gaelic is on the verge of extinction as a living language.
Mr Greer’s successful amendments included those requiring the Scottish Government and public bodies to treat Gaelic with equal respect to English and stronger enforcement powers against any organisations failing in their duties. He also extended the categories of organisations required to promote and support Gaelic through efforts including Gaelic language plans to include colleges, universities, ScotRail, the Caledonian Sleeper and Scottish Water.
Mr Greer said:
“I’m delighted that MSPs from all parties agreed to my amendments and sent such a strong message of support for the Gaelic and Scots languages.
“This is a strong sign that we are turning the page after centuries of deliberate attempts to destroy Scotland’s indigenous languages and culture and to undermine our national identity and traditions.
"With Gaelic in particular there is no time to waste, given that it is on the verge of disappearing as a living language in its traditional communities. We can certainly do more to improve this Bill and support both languages, but I am glad that so much progress was made today.”