4. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the action it is taking in response to the University of the Highlands and Islands publication, “The Gaelic Crisis in the Vernacular Community”. (S5O-04520)

The Scottish Government welcomes new ideas and opportunities to promote and improve the use of the Gaelic language. The UHI publication raises concerns about levels of Gaelic use in some island areas, and in July, I met the chair and the chief executive of Bòrd na Gàidhlig and policy officials to discuss the issues raised in the report.

At present, there is a range of important interventions in place, which we will continue to support. In addition, I will initiate a consultation to give community organisations on the islands the opportunity to give us their views on how to improve the use of Gaelic on the islands.

Next week, we will further reflect on the issues at a discussion that I will host on the progress on implementing the range of measures that arise out of the five-year national plan for Gaelic, as part of the annual update.

Since the report was published, there have been informal cross-party discussions among MSPs, councillors and others about the vital next steps and what might be done at a local community level. Will the Cabinet secretary today commit to attending an urgent meeting or summit of elected representatives and other stakeholders, so that we can address the various issues raised in the report and determine a viable way forward to ensure the long-term future of the language?

I welcome the constructive contribution that Mr Cameron has made to the important debate, and I recognise the cross-party support for the development of the Gaelic language, which he rightly records. It is critical to take forward a range of steps that are broadly supported in the political community in Scotland.

As I indicated in my original answer, I will initiate a consultation involving community organisations. I would prefer to allow the consultation to take its course and hear the voices of communities directly, so that they can influence and shape the agenda. Thereafter, I would be happy to take part in discussions with members of all political parties, local stakeholders, council representatives and communities to address how we respond constructively and imaginatively to the thinking that emerges from the communities that are most interested in the development of the Gaelic language.

The Deputy Presiding Officer:

There is just over six minutes left, and there are three more questions, so it will be difficult to fit in supplementaries.