CCG ISSUE STATEMENT ON GOVERNMENT REPORT

COMATAIDH Craolaidh Gaidhlig (CCG) have expressed their disappointment with aspects of the report issued by the Education, Culture and Sport Committee of the Scottish Parliament.
CCG Chairman Iain MacAskill issued the following statement:
"Once we have time to consider the report in detail we will prepare a more comprehensive response. On a preliminary reading we have noted that, while the report contains some positive conclusions and recommendations, its overall tone and content are less than helpful in the continuing debate on further development of Gaelic broadcasting.
"The fundamental issue there is not a question of the continued role of the CCG in Gaelic broadcasting but the need for a Gaelic channel run by Gaels. The Committee would seem to prefer to return to the old model of Gaelic broadcasting being run by organizations remote from the Gaelic heartland and ethos. That is not what the well-prepared and well-presented Milne Taskforce Report recommended. CCG 's stated policy commitment to effective stakeholder partnerships is in sharp contrast to the Committee's proposals, and we shall retain, in our discussions with Government, the Scottish Executive and other interested parties, our commitment to a service for which the Gaels themselves will be responsible and accountable.
"There is much that is positive in the report's historical perspective, which was the nub of the Committee's remit. We appreciate the recognition that "CCG and those it has funded have through their work made a strong cultural, social and economic contribution to Gaelic and to broadcasting in the last decade".
That constructive evaluation, however, is marred by inconsistency, inaccuracy, and unsubstantiated assumption that we will address in our detailed response.
"It is of particular concern to us that the Committee chose to censure the CCG in an ad hominem fashion. We are saddened that the Committee criticized our Director in an unfair and gratuitous manner. The Board of CCG has complete confidence in the Director and his staff and in their ability to play an important role in the transition to Gaelic digital broadcasting, just as they have played in the major development of analogue Gaelic broadcasting in the past ten years.
"CCG will maintain its commitment to existing Gaelic broadcasting services and to the momentum towards a dedicated digital Gaelic TV channel, managed by Gaels on behalf of the Gaelic community."
(GB)