| Am Paipear - October 09 |
| 06/01/2010 | |
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Home Insulation Scheme needed in Uist
I have recently been in touch with Housing Minister, Alex Neil, to ask if the government’s new Home Insulation scheme, which is being piloted to all households in Lewis and Harris, can be extended to Uist and Barra when the next round of funding for this national project is agreed for next year.
This scheme has the potential to be a big success and involves all the households in a given area being contacted individually by doorstep assessors and offered assistance and advice on the home insulation measures available to them.
Uist and Barra have all the same fuel poverty issues as Lewis and Harris, and so I have asked if consideration can be given to extending this scheme to cover the whole of the Western Isles.
I have already had positive conversations with the Housing Minister who has indicated that the Scottish Government will look at this request.
Uist Mobile Phone Reception
I have recently been contacted by a number of constituents in certain parts of North Uist regarding problems with mobile phone reception on parts of the island, particularly Orange and Vodaphone.
I am aware of the disadvantage to businesses and local people in of the patchy nature of mobile phone services. As a Vodafone user myself; I am very familiar with the black hole of phone coverage in large parts of North Uist. This is an issue I have taken up with Vodafone and Orange to ask what can be done to improve mobile coverage in these areas. I would like to invite anybody else who is experiencing any problems of this nature to get in touch with my office and we will try to be of any assistance possible.
Schools Bill Amended
The Scottish Parliament’s Education Committee has recently approved amendments I tabled to the Schools (Consultation) Bill which would help to safeguard the position of the Gaelic language in schools.
The amendments would ensure that when a school is proposed for closure then, where relevant, the impact on the Gaelic language in the school and local area has to be considered.
Although these are small changes to the overall bill, they are significant ones and I’m glad that they got cross party support on the committee, who recognised that parents have a right to ensure that the interests of Gaelic are taken into account.
Symbolic Gesture for Gaelic in Brussels
I was pleased to hear recently that the Scottish and UK Governments have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Brussels on the Gaelic language.
From now on Scottish Gaelic speakers can write directly to EU bodies in their own if they wish and receive a reply Gaelic.
Obviously, the news is symbolic to some degree, However, this is a significant step forward for the recognition of the Gaelic language, particularly with the Scottish Government’s ambitious targets of creating a new generation of Scottish Gaelic speakers.
One day soon we may also see Gaelic accepted as one of the ‘official’ languages of the EU, of which there are currently 23, but for the moment I am sure that this is a measure which all supporters of Gaelic will welcome.
Royal National Mod
I would like to start off by congratulating everyone from the Western Isles who competed in the 106th Royal National Mod, which was held recently in Oban. I had a great time in Oban with the island contingent and with my own choir, Coisir Sgìr’ a’ Bhac. It was brilliant to see just how big an event the Mod is becoming, particularly amongst the younger age groups and is a great showcase for Gaelic language, culture and heritage. |
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