Seòmar agus comataidhean

If you do not mind, I will move on to the next questions, which are from Willie Rennie.

Michelle Thomson has the final group of questions.

That brings us to the end of the public part of our meeting, and we will consider our next agenda item in private. Thank you all for your time.

We will have questions on that theme later on, too.

My question is about the current policy framework for Gaelic. Does it have the right focus on institutions and their Gaelic plans and on school education and community development? To use your language, Professor Ó Giollagáin, does it address “real-world issues”? What are some of the real-world issues that are out of kilter with the existing policy framework?

I can. Crack on.

I am not sure whether the bill team will know why that is.

I will explain where I am going. Orkney Islands Council has said that the reporting processes should be proportionate, as

“Gaelic is not a priority for the local community nor for the education authority”.

Before I bring in Liam Kerr, I would add that I am still curious about what the consequences are of people not fulfilling their obligations under the reporting duties. We will leave that point, however.

You have said that you decided not to establish a Scots language body to support that part of the bill. What are the reasons for that?

It would also be helpful if you could address the issues of the range of subjects and so on.

I invite Bill Kidd to come back in.

We will suspend until 10:48 to allow a changeover of witnesses.