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Alex O'Henley,
freelance broadcaster and writer from South Uist, has been appointed
as the first Gaelic Officer of the Scottish Parliament.
To mark
his first day in post on Monday, 4 September, Alex will be available
for a photocall and to meet the media at 2.30pm in the Parliament's
Black and White corridor.
Announcing
Mr O'Henley's appointment, Deputy Presiding Officer George Reid
said:
"In making
this appointment, the Parliament underlines its full commitment
to the Gaelic language and to developing services to Gaelic
speakers. Amongst Alex's duties will be to:
- act
as spokesman to the Gaelic media and to Gaelic-speaking visitors;
- prepare
a monthly summary in Gaelic of Parliamentary activity;
- advise
Members in responding, in Gaelic, to Gaelic enquiries;
- participate
in the management group for the Parliamentary Glossary Project.
"Alex will
provide two-way communication between the Parliament and Gaelic
speakers, thereby ensuring that we are genuinely open, accessible
and accountable to Gaelic communities."
Members
of the media both accredited and non-accredited to the Parliament
are invited to the photocall. Non-accredited media should notify
Eric MacLeod, Media Relations Office, prior to the event to
arrange access.
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Alex O'Henley
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Alex O'Henley
- Biographical detail
Alex has been
a freelance broadcaster/journalist/writer since 1993, working for
both the BBC and the independent sector.
His previous positions
include bi-lingual news editor and newsreader for the BBC and presenter/reporter
for BBC Scotland's European current affairs programme 'Eorpa'. More
recently he has been contributing to Radio nan Gàidheal as a freelance
Sports Correspondent. He is a regular contributor to The Scotsman
and writes for 'An Gàidheal Ùr', the Gaelic newspaper among other
publications.
Earlier this year
Alex won the prestigious Gaelic Writing Award at the Bank of Scotland
Press Awards. He is a published Gaelic poet with a keen interest in
all forms of writing. An avid football fan, Alex also provides match
commentary for Celtic TV.
Gaelic Officer
- Job Description includes
- spokesperson
to Gaelic media
- preparation
of news releases in Gaelic
- conducting
television and radio interview in Gaelic
- preparation
of Parliamentary information and guidance in Gaelic
- liaison point
for information for Gaelic speaking visitors to the Parliament
- liaison point
and information for Members, Committees, Education Services and
Public Information visiting Gaelic communities
- develop/disseminate
Parliamentary information in conjunction with/for Members, Committees,
Education Services and Public Information
- participate
in minority language organisations and monitor European policy
- participate
in the co-ordination of translation and simultaneous translation
facilities for the Parliament, including venues outwith Edinburgh
- participate
in the management group for the Parliamentary Glossary Project.
- oversee use
of Gaelic in Parliamentary buildings and business
- develop both
policy and model for a Parliamentary Gaelic service
- monthly summary
of Parliament in Gaelic to be posted on website
- advise Members
on responding, in Gaelic, to Gaelic letters
For further
information, the media contact is: Eric MacLeod: 0131 348 5605
email: eric.macleod@scottish.parliament.uk
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