Page:Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 (ASP 2005-7 qp).pdf/2

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Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005

2005 asp 7

The Bill for this Act of the Scottish Parliament was passed by the Parliament on 21st April 2005 and received Royal Assent on 1st June 2005

An Act of the Scottish Parliament to establish a body having functions exercisable with a view to securing the status of the Gaelic language as an official language of Scotland commanding equal respect to the English language, including the functions of preparing a national Gaelic language plan, of requiring certain public authorities to prepare and publish Gaelic language plans in connection with the exercise of their functions and to maintain and implement such plans, and of issuing guidance in relation to Gaelic education.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig

1Constitution and functions of Bòrd na Gàidhlig

(1) There is established a body corporate to be known as Bòrd na Gàidhlig (in this Act referred to as “the Bòrd”).

(2) The Bòrd has the general functions of—

(a) promoting, and facilitating the promotion of—

(i) the use and understanding of the Gaelic language, and

(ii) Gaelic education and Gaelic culture,

(b) advising (either on request or when it thinks fit) the Scottish Ministers, public bodies and other persons exercising functions of a public nature on matters relating to the Gaelic language, Gaelic education and Gaelic culture,

(c) advising (on request) other persons on matters relating to the Gaelic language, Gaelic education and Gaelic culture,

(d) monitoring, and reporting to the Scottish Ministers on, the implementation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages dated 5 November 1992 in relation to the Gaelic language.

(3) The functions conferred on the Bòrd by this Act are to be exercised with a view to securing the status of the Gaelic language as an official language of Scotland commanding equal respect to the English language through—

(a) increasing the number of persons who are able to use and understand the Gaelic language,

(b) encouraging the use and understanding of the Gaelic language, and