Rights agenda must be developed - Burnham (Eleanor Burnham )

Cymraeg
English

Eleanor Burnham <info@eburnham.org.uk>

Rights agenda must be developed - Burnham

January 24, 2006 12:00 AM

On a day when Welsh language issues are at the centre of political debate, Eleanor Burnham AM has given her backing to the language rights agenda being developed by the Welsh Language Board.

Today in the Assembly there will be a debate on Iaith Pawb, the government's strategy for a bilingual Wales and this evening there is a public meeting hosted by Cymdeithas yr Iaith in the Wales Millennium Centre.

Eleanor, who is culture spokesperson for the Welsh Liberal Democrats, will be speaking in both debates and will criticise the Labour Assembly Government's failings and call for an extended Welsh Language Act. She will say:

"When it comes to promoting the language I do not see clarity of vision and hunger for real achievement from this Labour Assembly Government. For Alun Pugh the aim of a bi-lingual nation seems to have become a tired expression rather than a driving ambition.

"The rights based agenda set out by language board is a new and interesting course which must be debated. As a liberal, I think it's correct that we see the development and promotion of opportunities to use Welsh within the broad area of civil rights.

"As Welsh language champion for the Welsh Liberal Democrats I am looking seriously at the issue of a rights based agenda for language policy. I thank the Language Board and Cymdeithas for sparking this debate into life.

"Jenny Randerson as Culture Minister launched Iaith Pawb during the previous Assembly - with cross-party support - and as Welsh Liberal Democrats we feel a special responsibility for Iaith Pawb and a genuine concern for its progress.

"However, there is now a compelling argument for extending language act obligations to those public services no longer within the public sector - that should be definite first step to increase the level of services available in Welsh. There must then follow a full debate, engaging sectors, communities and organisations across Wales about how to take language rights forward."

Eleanor Burnham AM is part of a panel taking part tonight in a Cymdeithas yr Iaith public meeting, which starts at 7pm in the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have tabled the following amendments to today's Assembly debate on Iaith Pawb:

Amendment 1 - Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) Add new point at end of motion: Regrets the failure to create an effective cross-cutting unit to promote the Welsh language within the Welsh Assembly Government.

Amendment 2 - Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) Add new point at end of motion: Calls for the extension of Welsh Language Act obligations to providers of public services no longer within the public sector.

Amendment 3 - Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) Add new point at end of motion: Calls for increased commitment to, and investment in, further and higher education provision through the medium of Welsh throughout Wales.

Amendment 4 - Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) Add new point at end of motion: Regrets the failure to develop Health and Care related Services through the medium of Welsh.

Amendment 5 - Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) Add new point at end of motion: Regrets the failure to develop effective Welsh medium education systems and calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure that there is greater continuity of provision.