“It is right that theTrust has looked carefully at the value to the public, because it isimportant that we balance the needs of licence fee payers. But I’mpleased that the project is going ahead because I believe it will makean invaluable contribution to Gaelic as a living, growing language.

“Let’snot forget that this is not simply a case for more hours of Gaelictelevision. In an increasingly complex and convergent media landscape,it is essential for Gaelic to compete across a range of multimediaplatforms and for it to be more widely available outside itstraditional heartlands. Existing Gaelic output is of the highestquality; but the combination of a dedicated digital tv channel, BBCRadio Nan Gaidheal and more investment in Gaelic via BBC Online canonly mean that Gaelic will be brought to a wider audience, and to newGaelic speakers, across Scotland and beyond.

“I look forward to being able to watch the dedicated channel later this year.”

Ends

Media Contact: Nathaniel Mumford - 0207 270 6875 / 07771 938878

News Release: SS1221
Date: 28 Jan 2008