New Petitions

A chathraiche agus a bhuill na comataidh, tapadh leibh airson an cothrom seo a thoirt dhuinn fianais bheòil a thoirt seachad don chomataidh. Is mise Iain Macleòid agus còmhla rium tha an t-Àrd Ollamh Rob Dunbar, cathraiche cànanan, litreachas, eachdraidh is àrsaidheachd Cheilteach aig Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann.

Tha an athchuinge ag iarraidh air a’ chomataidh ìmpidh a chur air Riaghaltas na h-Alba dreachd dà-chànanach a sholarachadh de phàipear-baileit reifreinn neo-eisimealachd na h-Alba. Ged a chaidh an e-athchuinge a-steach nam ainm fhìn a-mhàin, fhuair e taic fhad ’s a bha e air loidhne airson ùine ghoirid bho 733 neach a chuir an ainmean ris.

Am measg nam prìomh phuingean air am bu mhath leam gum beachdaich sibh an-diugh, is iad na prìomh phrionnsapalan a th’ ann, an toiseach, còraichean cànain luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig, agus a-rithist, a bhith a’ buileachadh laghan agus phlanaichean cànain gnàthaichte a thaobh co-ionannachd spèis. Chan eil seo idir mu dheidhinn luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig a’ tuigsinn na Beurla no gur e pàipear-baileit aon-chànanach an cleachdadh àbhaisteach ann an taghaidhean no reifreannan air feadh na Rìoghachd Aonaichte.

Chaidh Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba) 2005, don deach taic uile-phàrtaidh a thoirt ann am Pàrlamaid na h-Alba, aontachadh

“le sùil ri bhith a’ cur inbhe na Gàidhlig air stèidh thèarainte mar chànan oifigeil an Alba aig am bi spèis ionann ris a’ Bheurla”.

Tha gach cuid Riaghaltas na h-Alba agus Pàrlamaid na h-Alba air planaichean Gàidhlig fhoillseachadh a tha ag amas air dèanamh cinnteach, nuair a thèid seirbheisean a lìbhrigeadh anns a’ Ghàidhlig, gum bi iad aig inbhe is càileachd a bhios ann am coimeas ri seirbheisean sa Bheurla. Tha iad cuideachd a’ gealltainn inbhe na Gàidhlig àrdachadh le bhith a’

“dèanamh cinnteach gum bi ìomhaigh nas motha air a thoirt don Ghàidhlig taobh a-staigh beatha phoblaich na h-Alba”.

A bharrachd air sin, chuir gach cuid Riaghaltas na RA agus Riaghaltas na h-Alba an ainmean ris a’ Chùmhnant Eòrpaich airson Cànanan Roinneil no Mion-chànanan, agus bu chòir suim a ghabhail de na geallaidhean sin.

Na mo bheachd-sa, tha cleachdadh na Gàidhlig ann am prìomh phròiseas bhun-reachd leithid reifreann air neo-eisimeileachd—ceist a thuirt Riaghaltas na h-Alba fhèin a tha nas cudromaich na gin eile a chaidh a chur fa chomhair luchd-bhòtaidh na h-Alba ann an còrr is 300 bliadhna—deatamach gus a bhith a’ comharrachadh iomchaidheachd a’ chànain mar

“chànan oifigeil na h-Alba”.

Tha sinn an dùil gum bi deugairean 16 is 17 am measg luchd-bhòtaidh an reifreinn, agus bidh cuid dhiubh air gluasad bho shiostam air leth soirbheachail foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig, a tha air a bhith againn o chionn 25 bliadhna. Tha iad làn-airidh gun toirear aithne agus spèis don chànan oideachaidh aca, mar a chaidh a dhearbhadh ann an achd 2005.

Ged a tha mi a’ cur fàilte air gealladh an Riaghaltais mu bhith a’ cur a-mach stiùireadh mu phròiseas an reifreinn ann an dreachd dà-chànanach, chan eil ann am pàipear-baileit dà-chànanach ach ceum beag nas fhaide na sin. Chan eil ach aon cheist ghoirid air a’ phàipear—dìreach sia faclan. Dh’fhaodadh gur e ceum beag a bhiodh ann am pàipear-baileit sa Ghàidhlig, ach ’s e ceum sònraichte a bhiodh ann, agus ma tha pàipearan-baileit dà-chànanach ceadaichte anns a’ Chuimrigh, carson nach biodh ann an Alba?

Mu dheireadh, dh’iarrainn oirbh smaoineachadh air dè an teachdaireachd a bhiodh diùltadh pàipear-baileit sìmplidh dà-chànanach a’ cur a-mach gu coimhearsnachd na Gàidhlig, agus dè bhiodh seo a’ ciallachadh mu shealladh Pàrlamaid na h-Alba air an aon mhion-chànan a tha a’ faighinn aithne mar chànan oifigeil ann an Alba.

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

Convener and committee members, thank you for giving us this opportunity to give oral evidence to the committee. My name is John Macleod and, as you said, this is Professor Rob Dunbar, who is the chair of Celtic languages, literature, history and antiquities at the University of Edinburgh.

The petition calls for the committee to urge the Scottish Government to provide a bilingual version of the Scottish independence referendum ballot paper. Although I submitted the e-petition in my name only, during the brief period for which it was online, it was also supported by 733 signatories.

The main points that I would like you to consider are the following. The relevant issues are, first, the language rights of Gaelic speakers and, secondly, the application of existing law and language plans in relation to equality of respect. The issue is not about the fact that Gaelic speakers can understand English, nor is a monolingual ballot paper the normal practice in elections or referenda across the United Kingdom.

The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, which received all-party support in the Scottish Parliament, was passed

“with a view to securing the status of the Gaelic language as an official language of Scotland commanding equal respect to the English language”.

Both the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament have published Gaelic language plans with the aim of ensuring that, when services are delivered in Gaelic, they are of a comparable standard and quality to those that are provided in English. There is also a commitment to enhance the status of Gaelic by

“ensuring that Gaelic is given an increased profile within Scottish public life”.

Furthermore, both the UK and Scottish Governments are signatories to the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, and those commitments should be respected.

The use of Gaelic in a key constitutional process such as a referendum on independence—a question that the Scottish Government has said is the most important question to be put to a Scottish electorate in more than 300 years—is necessary in order to demonstrate the relevance of the language as

“an official language of Scotland”.

We expect that the referendum electorate will include 16 and 17-year-olds, some of whom will be products of the successful Gaelic-medium education system over the past 25 years. They deserve to have their education language given the due recognition and respect that the 2005 act said that it should have.

I welcome the Government’s promise to issue guidance on the referendum process in a bilingual format, but a bilingual ballot paper is only a small step beyond that stage. The ballot paper will have one short question of just six words. A bilingual ballot paper may be a small step for Gaelic, but it would be a significant one. If bilingual ballot papers can be used in Wales, why not in Scotland?

Finally, I ask you to consider what message the denial of a simple bilingual ballot paper would send to the Gaelic-speaking community. What would that signify regarding the Scottish Parliament’s approach to Scotland’s only official minority language?

Gu cinnteach. Ma dh’aontaich a’ Phàrlamaid inbhe cànan oifigeil a thoirt don Ghàidhlig, is cinnteach gun do bheachdaicheadh aig an àm air dè a’ bhuaidh a bheireadh seo air a’ chànan. Is cinnteach gu bheil leithid taghaidhean agus reifreannan a’ tighinn a-steach dha na cothroman sin a bu chòir dhan Ghàidhlig fhaighinn aig ìre oifigeil poblach.

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

Certainly. When the Parliament agreed to give official language status to Gaelic, surely it thought about the effect that that would have on the language. Surely things such as elections and referendums come into the opportunities that Gaelic should have at the official, public level.

Chanainn an toiseach nach bu chòir an t-uallach a bhith oirnn a bhith a’ putadh airson inbhe a thoirt dhan Ghàidhlig mar seo. Is cinnteach ma chaidh inbhe oifigeil a thoirt dhan chànan, ma tha planaichean Gàidhlig air ullachadh a dhèanamh airson a’ chànain, gum bu chòir sin a bhith gu leòr. Carson a dh’fheumadh sinn a bhith a’ dèanamh barrachd iomairt airson ar cànan na dh’fheumadh luchd-labhairt na Beurla? Mar sin, chan eil mi a’ smaoineachadh gu bheil e ceart gum bu chòir dhuinn barrachd iarraidh air coimhearsnachd na Gàidhlig na bhiodh air iarraidh air coimhearsnachd na Beurla.

Chan eil mi a’ smaoineachadh leis an t-seòrsa pàipeir seo gun cuireadh e duine sam bith troimh chèile no gun adhbhrachadh e mì-chinnt no imcheist ann an inntinnean luchd-bhòtaidh. Tha am pàipear gu math sìmplidh—chan eil ann ach aon cheist le sia faclan. Chan e pàipear fada le tòrr sgrìobhaidh no càil dhen t-seòrsa sin a tha ann.

Tha a’ cheist gu math sìmplidh agus dh’fhaodadh, mar a tha daoine a’ dèanamh anns a’ Chuimrigh, leth dhen phàipear a bhith ann am Beurla agus leth eile a bhith anns a’ Ghàidhlig. Dh’fhaodadh dà bhogsa a bhith ann airson roghainn a dhèanamh. Chan eilear ag iarraidh air duine dad a sgrìobhadh ach X a chur dhan bhogsa. Tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gur e seo eisimpleir dhen t-seòrsa paipear-bhòtaidh far am bu chòir dhuinn tòiseachadh a’ toirt co-ionannachd cothruim agus co-ionannachd spèis dhan Ghàidhlig. Mas e pàipear gu math sìmplidh a th’ ann, cha bu chòir dha dragh sam bith a dhèanamh ann an inntinn luchd-bhòtaidh.

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

First, the pressure should not be on us to press for status for the language. Official status was given to the language and Gaelic language plans have been prepared, so why should we have to push for improvements to the status of the language? I do not think that it is correct that we should ask for more from the Gaelic language community than we would from the English language community.

I do not think that the paper would confuse anyone or cause confusion in voters’ minds. It is a simple paper. There is one question with only six words. It is not a long paper with lots of writing or anything like that.

The question is simple. As happens in Wales, half the paper could be in English and half could be in the other language. There could be just two boxes for the choice. We do not ask anyone to write anything on the ballot paper apart from putting X in one box. This is an example of the type of voting paper where we should start giving equality to Gaelic. It will be a simple paper and it should not cause any problems for the voters.

11:00

Tapabh leibh airson a’ chothruim an-diugh fianais a thoirt seachad tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig. Tha sin cudromach don Ghàidhlig, agus tha sinn fada nur comain.

A thaobh co-dhiù a bhiodh daoine troimh chèile, thathas agus bhathas a’ cleachdadh bileagan-bhòtaidh dà-chànanach anns a’ Chuimrigh, ann an diofar reifreannan thar nam bliadhnachan. Ann an Èirinn cuideachd, thathar a’ cleachdadh phàipearan-bhòtaidh dà-chànanach ann an reifreannan. Is ann à Canada a tha mise agus ann an cuid a sgìrean, leithid Quebec, tha daoine cleachdte ri bhith a’ làimhseachadh seo.

Ged a tha barrachd luchd-labhairt na Cuimris agus barrachd luchd-labhairt na Gaeilge ann na tha de luchd-labhairt na Gaidhlig ann an Alba, tha cuid ann an Èirinn, sa Chuimrigh agus ann an Quebec a tha làn chomasach anns an dà chànan. Tha cuid a tha comasach air aon chànan a bhruidhinn gun a bhith ga leughadh agus mar sin air adhart, agus tha na dùthchannan sin gu math coltach ris an t-suidheachadh againne ann an Alba a thaobh chomasan.

Chan eil fianais sam bith bho na dùthchannan sin gu bheil daoine troimh chèile le pàipearan-bhòtaidh mas e is gu bheil a’ cheist sìmplidh anns an dà chànan. Tha deagh eisimpleirean bho na dùthchannan sin mu choltas nam pàipearan-bhòtaidh. Cha chreid mi gum biodh adhbhar sam bith a bhith draghail no gum biodh seo ag adhbharachadh thrioblaidean. Cuideachd, dh’fhaodadh Coimisean an Taghaidh sùil a thoirt air a’ cheist, mas e ceist dhoirbh a tha seo ann am beachd na Pàrlamaid.

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

Thank you very much, and thank you for the opportunity to be here today to give evidence in Gaelic. That in itself is an important thing for Gaelic and we are very grateful for the opportunity.

Regarding whether people would be confused, as John Macleod said, bilingual voting papers have been used in Wales in different referenda over the years. Also, Ireland uses bilingual voting papers in referenda. I am originally from Canada, and again in provinces such as Quebec, people are used to using bilingual voting papers.

Although there are more Welsh speakers in Wales and Irish speakers in Ireland than there are Gaelic speakers in Scotland, some people in Ireland, Wales and Quebec are more than able to speak their two languages. Some are able to speak one language but may not be able to read in the other language. In many ways, the situation in those countries is similar to the one in Scotland.

There is no evidence from those countries that people are confused by having a bilingual voting paper, especially if the question is simple. There is evidence from those countries about what ballot papers look like and I do not think that there would be any problem at all. Also, the Electoral Commission could take a look at the issue, especially if the Parliament thought that there might be any difficulty.

Gu mì-fhortanach, cha d’ fhuair mise an cothrom fianais a thoirt seachad dhan choinneamh a bha sin agus cha b’ urrainn dhomh a ràdh an deach an cuspair a dheasbad no nach deach. Cha robh Rob an làthair a bharrachd, agus mar sin chan urrainn dhomh sin a fhreagairt.

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to give evidence at that meeting, so I cannot say whether the issue was discussed. Rob Dunbar was not there either, so we cannot answer that question.

Cho fad ’s as aithne dhomh, cha deach leithid a dh’oidhirp a dhèanamh gu ruige seo, agus tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gum biodh e ceart a ràdh gun robhas a’ faicinn duilgheadas aig an àm le cus fiosrachaidh a bhith air pàipearan-bhòtaidh. Tha cuimhn’ agam aig aon dhe na cothroman bhòtaidh gun robh gearan mòr air cho fada ’s a bha am pàipear-baileit agus gun robh sin ag adhbharachadh duilgheadas dhan luchd-bhòtaidh. Ach, uair a thug mise sùil air seo, chunnaic mi gur e cothrom a bh’ ann an iomairt seo a chur air chois leis gur e pàipear-bhòtaidh gu math sìmplidh agus goirid a tha gu bhith ann an ath-bhliadhna. Mar sin chan fhaca mi gun robh eisimpleir nas fheàrr againn gu ruige seo airson co-ionannachd na Gàidhlig fhaighinn a-steach dhan t-siostam bhòtaidh.

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

As far as I know, no such effort was made. I think that it would be correct to say that, at the time, having too much information on the voting papers was seen as being a problem. I remember that at one of the elections there was a complaint about how long the ballot paper was and that that would cause problems for voters. I saw this ballot as an opportunity to start up this initiative, as the voting paper that will be used next year will be very simple and short. I have never seen an opportunity up till now where we could have equality for Gaelic in the voting system.

Bha mi dìreach a’ dol a ràdh gu bheil referenda rud beag eadar-dhealaichte bho thaghaidhean eile. Anns gach sgìre-bhòtaidh tha na pàipearan eadar-dhealaichte agus is cinnteach gum b’ fheuch e do Bhòrd na Gàidhlig agus buidhnean eile beachdachadh air cleachdadh na Gàidhlig air foirmean oifigeil ann an taghaidhean—is e rud cudromach a bhiodh ann—gus ìomhaigh agus cleachdadh na Gàidhlig a bhrosnachadh. Tha sin aig teis-meadhan feallsanachd Achd na Gàidhlig, a’ Ghàidhlig a bhrosnachadh ann an suidheachaidhean eadar-dhealaichte bho na suidheachaidhean àbhaisteach a bha luchd na Gàidhlig a’ cleachdadh a’ chànain. Le sin, tha mi a’ smaointinn gur e ceist chudromach a tha sin.

Gu ruige seo, cha deach deasbad a dhèanamh air sin agus tha mi cinnteach gum biodh diofar bheachdan air co-dhiù a bu chòir pàipearan-bhòtaidh dà-chànanach a chleachdadh chun na h-aon ìre anns na h-Eileanan an Iar agus can ann an Sealtainn. Tha ceistean doirbh agus trioblaideach an lùib sin ach tha an taghadh seo eadar-dhealaichte anns an t-seadh sin. Thèid aon phàipear-bhòtaidh a chleachadh air feadh na dùthcha, agus anns an t-seadh sin tha an taghadh seo eadar-dhealaichte.

Thathas ag aithneachadh sin ann an Èirinn mar eisimpleir, ged a tha iad a’ cleachdadh phàipearan-bhòtaidh dà-chànanach ann an cuid a thaghaidhean tha achd sònraichte a chaidh aontachadh le Pàrlamaid na h-Èireann mu referenda. Tha e acasan anns an lagh gum bu chòir pàipearan-bhòtaidh dà-chànanach a bhith ann. Mar sin, tha a’ cheist cudromach agus bhrosnaichinn fhìn a’ Phàrlamaid seo, Bòrd na Gàidhlig agus buidhnean eile gus sùil gheur a thoirt air a’ cheist seo ach ’s e taghadh cuimseach eadar-dhealaichte a tha anns an taghadh seo seach taghaidhean eile.

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

I was just going to say that referenda are slightly different from normal elections, in which the voting papers are different in every constituency. I think that it would be worth Bòrd na Gàidhlig thinking about the use of Gaelic in official forms at election time. That is important in raising the profile and image of Gaelic. At the very heart of the philosophy of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 is the promotion of Gaelic in situations that are different from the normal situations in which Gaelic speakers use the language. I therefore think that this is a very important part of that.

Up till now, there has been no discussion of the issue, and I think that there will be different views on whether bilingual voting papers should be used in the Western Isles, for example. There are problems associated with that, but this is a different situation: there is just one voting paper for the whole country. In that respect, this vote is different.

Such situations are recognised in Ireland, for example. Bilingual voting papers are used in some elections, and the Irish Parliament agreed to a special act regarding referenda. That statute says that referenda should have bilingual voting papers. In that sense, I would encourage the Scottish Parliament, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and other groups to look very closely at our proposal. The independence referendum is very different from other, normal elections.

Gu dearbh, tha mi a’ smaointinn gur e fìor dheagh chothrom a tha ann sin a phiobrachadh, agus is cinnteach gum bi daoine a’ deasbad na ceist seo tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig. Tha gach taobh anns an iomairt bhòtaidh mu thràth air goireasan a chur air dòigh gus Gàidhlig a chleachdadh; tha daoine anns na meadhanan, air blogs agus eile, a’ deasbad na ceist seo tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig. Bidh na meadhanan Gàidhlig a’ leantainn an reifreinn gu dlùth agus is cinnteach gum bi daoine a’ deasbad ceist neo-eismeileachd na h-Alba tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig.

Is e rud math a tha sin agus tha e iongantach ann an dòigh gu bheil an Riaghaltas fhèin air pàipearan conaltraidh a sgaoileadh tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig. Bhitheamaid an dùil gun do sgaoil iad na pàipearan sin gus cleachdadh na Gàidhlig a bhrosnachadh anns a’ cheist chudromach seo. Mar sin, faodaidh sinn deasbad, faodaidh sinn a’ cheist a sgrùdadh agus faodaidh sinn fiosrachadh fhaighinn bho na meadhanan agus a h-uile rud a dhèanamh tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig, ach nuair a thèid sinn dhan chùbaid gus an taghadh againn a chomharrachadh, chan fhaod sinn a leughadh tro mheadhan a’ chànain. Tha sin car annasach. Bho seo a-mach, tha mi a’ smaointinn gu bheil e cudromach gum bi sinn a’ beachdachadh air cleachdadh na Gàidhlig ann an ceistean cudromach leithid taghaidhean aig ìre nàiseanta agus ionadail cuideachd.

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

Indeed. This is a good opportunity to press the point. I am sure that people will discuss that question through the medium of Gaelic. Both sides in the referendum campaign have created resources in the Gaelic language; in the media and in blogs people are discussing, through the medium of Gaelic, whether Scotland should be an independent country. The Gaelic media discuss the issue very closely, and certainly people will discuss the question through the medium of Gaelic. That is a great thing. It is very good that people are able to do that.

In a way, it is strange that the Government has issued consultation papers in Gaelic about the issue—we can discuss and analyse the issue and get information in Gaelic, but when we go to vote and tick the box that we want to tick, we will not be able to do that through the medium of Gaelic. I find that a little bit strange. I also think that, from now on, we should look at the use of the language in important aspects of life, such as general elections.

Chanainn gur e cothrom a tha seo deuchainn fheuchainn leis a’ cheist seo mar phìleat. Bidh e math ma dh’obraicheas e; ma nochdas duilgheadas sam bith, ionnsaichidh sinn dè bu chòir a dhèanamh anns an àm ri teachd.

Dh’fhaodadh gun robh ceistean dhen t-seòrsa seo air an togail nuair a thòisich sinn air foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig. Bha duilgheadasan agus teagamhan gan nochdadh an robh e iomchaidh agus am bu chòir clann a bhith air an oideachadh anns a’ Ghàidhlig an àite anns a’ Bheurla. Tha sinn air faighinn seachad air sin. Tha 25 bliadhna bho thòisich foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig agus ’s e siostam air leth soirbheachail a tha ann. Chan eil duine ag ràdh nach eil e iomchaidh dha clann a bhith a’ faighinn an oideachaidh anns a h-uile seòrsa cuspair tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig, agus tha buannachd mhòr na chois.

Tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gum faod sinn sin fhaicinn mar eisimpleir mhath air cleachdadh na Gàidhlig ann an dòighean iomchaidh aig ìre poblach agus prìobhaideach. Tha sinn air gluasad mean air mhean gus a bhith a’ faighinn barrachd is barrachd inbhe dha ar cànan agus gun sin a bhith a’ dèanamh cron sam bith air luchd-labhairt na Beurla.

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

I would say that this is an opportunity to test out the issue as a pilot. If it works, that will be great. If any problems arise, we will learn from them so as to improve for the future.

Many similar questions were raised when we started Gaelic-medium education. People had worries about whether it was appropriate for children to be taught through the medium of Gaelic rather than through the medium of English. We have got past those problems. Gaelic-medium education has been going for 25 years now and it has been highly successful, and nobody says that it is not appropriate for children to learn through the medium of Gaelic. There have been great benefits associated with Gaelic-medium education.

We can see that as an example of the use of Gaelic in appropriate public and private settings, and we are moving bit by bit to get an increased profile for the language. That does not harm English speakers in any way at all.

Cha deach sinn a-steach gu còmhraidhean sam bith le leithid de bhuidhnean. Is dòcha nach eil e iomchaidh dhomh a bhith a’ dol air adhart le sin aig an ìre seo. Chan eil mi a’ faicinn gum bu chòir duilgheadas sam bith a bhith ann am pàipear goirid, le ceist gu math goirid agus gun ach sia faclan innte. Mar sin, chan eil mi a’ smaoineachadh gum bu chòir dhuinn a bhith a’ coimhead ri bhith a’ dùileachadh dhuilgheadasan mòra dhen t-seòrsa sin.

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

We have not had discussions with any of those groups. I do not think that it is appropriate for me to go forward with that at the moment, but nor do I think that we should expect there to be any problem with a paper that has a short question of six words.

Tha mi ag aontachadh gum feum am pàipear-baileit a bhith sìmplidh agus furasta a thuigsinn. Tha mi air dreach de phàipear ullachadh far a bheil a’ Bheurla air aon leth dhen duilleig agus a’ Ghaidhlig air an duilleig eile, le aon bhogsa airson taic a thoirt agus aon bhogsa airson a chur na aghaidh. Chan eil mi a’ smaoineachadh gu bheil sin ro dhuilich a thuigsinn. Mar a thuirt Rob Dunbar, thathas ga chleachdadh anns a’ Chuimrigh agus ann an Èirinn agus ann an dùthchannan eile gun duilgheadas sam bith. Tha mi a’ smaointinn gum feum sinn faighinn seachad air a’ bheachd seo gum feum a h-uile càil a bhith anns a’ Bheurla gus an tuig daoine e.

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

I agree that the ballot paper must be simple and easy to understand. Again, I have a draft of a paper on which the English is on one half of the paper and the Gaelic is on the other, and there is one box to say yes and one box to say no. I do not think that that is too difficult to understand. As Rob Dunbar said, that type of paper is used in Ireland, Wales and other countries without any problems. I think that we have to overcome the opinion that everything has to be in English so that people can understand it.

11:15

Sin ceist chudromach agus tha mi a’ smaointinn gu bheil dòighean timcheall air. Tha mi a’ smaointinn gum biodh e ciallach Coimisean an Taghaidh a thoirt a-steach. Nuair a chuir Riaghaltas na h-Alba a’ cheist air Coimisean an Taghaidh, cha do dh’fhaighnich iad agus cha tug iad eisimpleir de phàipear-bhòtaidh dà-chànanach dhan choimisean. Bha iad a’ faighneachd am biodh paipear-bhòtaidh aona-chànanach a’ cur bacadh air duine sam bith agus co-dhiù a bhiodh trioblaidean na lùib. Tha mi a’ smaointinn gum biodh e ciallach a’ cheist a chur air ais, is dòcha gu Coimisean an Taghaidh, aig a bheil comas ceistean mar seo a làimhseachadh.

Ann an dòigh, tha ceistean eile air èirigh mun taghadh seo, rudan eile a tha gu math eadar-dhealaichte. Mar eisimpleir, airson a’ chiad uair, bidh cothrom bhòtaidh aig daoine aig aois 16 bliadhna agus 17 bliadhna. Tha sin ùr cuideachd, agus is dòcha gum bi trioblaidean na lùib agus chaidh beachdachadh air sin. Tha mi cinnteach gun tèid againn air cuid dhe na duilgheadasan as motha an lùib sin a sheatlaigeadh agus a shocrachadh ro làimh agus tha mi a’ smaointinn gum biodh e ciallach leigeil le Coimisean an Taghaidh beachachadh air a’ cheist seo agus, is dòcha, deuchainn a chleachdadh feuch am faigh iad a-mach co-dhiù a bhiodh duilgheadasan ann.

Ann am freagairt a fhuair mo charaid Iain MacLeòid bho Riaghaltas na h-Alba, bha an Riaghaltas ag ràdh gun robh iad a’ bruidhinn ri cuid dhe na h-oifigearan taghaidh agus gur dòcha gum biodh trioblaidean ann. A-rithist, chan eil mi buileach cinnteach a bheil an t-uamhas fianais ann. Nam bharail, bhiodh e na b’ fheàrr leigeil le Coimisean an Taghaidh sùil a thoirt air agus na ceistean seo fhuasgladh. Mas e is gu bheil trioblaidean mòra a dh’fhaodadh cron a dhèanamh air an taghadh, bhiodh sin cudromach a shoilleireachadh aig an ìre sa, ach mar a thuirt sinn roimhe, bho dhùthchannan eile is coltach nach bi pàipearan-bhòtaidh dà-chànanach ag adhbhrachadh thrioblaidean mar seo. Tha mi a’ smaointinn gu bheil muinntir na h-Alba a cheart cho gleusta ris na Cuimrich agus ris na h-Èireannaich ach tha mi a’ smaointinn gu bheil làn chomas aig Coimisean an Taghaidh seòrsa deuchainn a ruith.

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

It is a very important point. There are ways to solve any problem. It would be appropriate to bring in the Electoral Commission. When the Scottish Government asked the Electoral Commission the question, it did not give an example of a bilingual voting paper; it just asked whether it would be a problem for anyone, or whether, indeed, a one-language paper would cause problems for anyone. It would be sensible to put the question to the Electoral Commission again, as it has powers to deal with such questions.

Other questions have been raised about the vote. Some things about it are very different. For example, for the first time, 16 and 17-year-olds will have the chance to vote. That is a new thing and perhaps there will also be problems with it, but the issue has been discussed and I am sure that we will be able to deal with any problems, which can be solved and made easier. It would be sensible to allow the Electoral Commission to discuss the question and perhaps to test the bilingual paper to see whether there are more problems with a bilingual paper.

A reply that John Macleod received from the Scottish Government stated that it thought that problems could be associated with the ballot paper. Scottish Government representatives had spoken to some returning officers, but I am not sure that there is very much evidence for there being problems. I believe that it would be better to allow the Electoral Commission to have a look at the question, and if lots of problems arise from testing it would be important for the commission to deal with them then. However, as John Macleod said, lots of other countries use bilingual voting papers in referenda, and I am sure that Scottish people are just as intelligent as Irish and Welsh people are. It is important to allow the Electoral Commission to run that test of a bilingual voting paper.