Chamber and committees

We have asked about outcomes and what success will look like. Listening to you—I am sorry; I think that the convener is indicating that I am intruding on someone else’s questions, so I will wait.

Just to interrupt briefly, I should probably say that my children went to Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.

Do you have any insight into what causes those challenges? In Glasgow, there was a helpful groundswell from the existing Highland community. Was that important? It is not a political thing, because those local authorities come in different colours, as it were, so the issue does not seem to be party political. What is your reflection on what the issue might be?

Professor Ó Giollagáin, I wonder whether I could ask—

I wonder whether you could reflect on the native communities.

I will ask another brief question, which Niall Bartlett can scoop up in his answer. Would a designation of linguistic significance impact other policy areas? I am guessing that some of the challenges that we have relate to housing and bringing in folk who have the language skills or who want to stay in those areas. I suppose that, for an area to have that status would be of great value if it can influence other areas of policy and not just language and culture.

It is about removing a barrier rather than putting in an obligation. Is that correct?

I want to ask about the duties that it is envisaged will be included in Gaelic education standards, and whether those will differentiate among different parts of the country. I would hope that the standards would not be different, but the duties might be.

Yes, I think so. I asked how standards might differentiate among different parts of the country. You gave the example of Orkney—I guess that that is helpful.

Finally, I want to ask about the availability of Gaelic-speaking teachers and specialist education staff; we have spoken about early learning professionals, too. What consideration has been given to that? At the moment, there is a challenge with the supply of staff and, obviously, as we look to expand, we do not want that issue to get in the way.

As it is quite a big question, in the interests of time, it would be helpful if you could get back to us in writing, including a response to the point about early learning, because, as you said, the whole through-route is important.