Dh’iarrainn an toiseach an-diugh clach a chur air càrn mo dheagh charaid Iain MacAsgaill, sàr Ghàidheal, a chaochail bho chionn ghoirid. Bha Iain na Rùnaire air Bòrd Leasachaidh na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean fad ùine, agus aig Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd, chun an do leig e dheth a dhreuchd. Thug e an uairsin bliadhnaichean mar Chathraiche èifeachdach air Coimisean na Croitearachd. Aig luaithreachan Ghrianaig Diardaoin seo tighinn cluinnear geàrr-iomradh air na chuir Iain ri leasachadh eaconamach agus sòisealta na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean, agus cuideachd na rinn e airson cor na Gàidhlig. Dhan fheadhainn againn a bha fortanach eòlas fhaotainn air Iain bidh sinn a’ cuimhneachadh agus ag ionndrainn caraid coibhneil, agus daingeann, gu mòr. ’S iomadh iomairt san robh mi fhìn an sàs cuide ri Iain. Tha cuimhne agam air coinneamh turas is Ball Pàrlamaid ag argamaid leinn an aghaidh reachdas dhan Ghàidhlig, is gun robh na h-uile mothachail agus bàidheil dhan chànan. Thuirt Iain gun robh a’ mhòr-chuid cuideachd mothachail gun robh e ceàrr neach eile a mhurt, ach a dh’aindeoin sin bha feum air dìon a stèidheachadh san lagh!
Agus abair gum bheil lagh air a bhith sna naidheachdan bho chionn ghoirid, eadar am Prìomhaire Sunak a’ strì a chuid amasan gus fògarraich fhuadach à Breatann gu Rwanda, agus am Prionnsa Harry a’ cur chasaidean air pàipearan-naidheachd gun robh iad air farchluais mhì-iomchaidh, theagamh mhì-laghail, a dhèanamh air fhèin ’s air cuid a bhuineadh dha. Bhuannaich Harry gu ìre, ach tha na h-uiread de chùisean-lagha eile aige a’ dol air adhart fhathast. Ach ’s neònach mur e an t-annas, ’s dòcha an leamhachas, as motha dha mòr-shluagh na dùthcha mar a bha am Prìomhaire cho deiseil lagh na dùthcha atharrachadh gus faotainn mu thimcheall co-dhùnadh cùirte gun robh am poileasaidh aig an Riaghaltas “luchd-imrich mhì-laghail” a chur gu ruige Rwanda, mì-laghail. Agus nach b’ iongantach cho sgiobalta ’s a ghabhadh sin dèanamh an taca ri cho slaodach ’s a tha cuid de chùisean laghail gan gluasad, leithid na sia bliadhna a thug an Riaghaltas a’ freagairt na h-aithisge aig an Easbaig Seumas Jones air na thachair aig tubaist sgriosail Hillsborough ann an 1989. Chan eil ach beagan is cola-deug bho dhearbh an Riaghaltas gum bheil e air gabhail ris a’ mhòr-chuid de na molaidhean aig Jones, agus gum bi dleastanas ga chur ri cùmhnantan-obrach phoileas nach fhaod iad fiosrachadh a chleith bho sgrùdadh poblach. ’S i eisimpleir mhaslach eile mar a tha fichead bliadhna air a dhol seachad bho chaidh mòran stiùirichean oifisean-puist a dhìteadh airson foill, agus ged a chaidh dearbhadh bho chionn fhada gur e siostam coimpiutair a bu choireach dha mearachdan, cha deach làn-cheartas a thoirt fhathast dha daoine neoichiontach! Càite bheil seo a’ fàgail na h-abairt “neoichiontach chun an dearbhte ciont”?
Le dìreach ceithir latha chun na Nollaige tha mi ’n dòchas gum bheil ùpraid sam bith na thogail spioraid dhuibh agus gum faigh sibh toileachas à cuideachd teaghlaich is charaidean, agus tha mi a’ guidhe Nollaig chridheil dhuibh uile!
Firstly, this week, I wish to pay tribute to my friend Iain Macaskill who died recently.
Iain served as secretary of Highlands and Islands Development Board for many years, continuing in post with its successor Highlands and Islands Enterprise until his retirement. He subsequently served for some years as an effective chairman of the Crofters Commission.
Iain’s considerable contribution to the social and economic development of the Highlands and Islands will be recognised at a service at Greenock Crematorium a week today, as will his substantial input to Gaelic language development.
I worked with Iain on many projects over the years and those of us who had the privilege of knowing him will greatly miss a kind and staunch friend, and a proud and committed Gael.
Legal matters have been dominating headlines recently, spanning such issues as Rishi Sunak’s attempts to circumvent a court ruling that sending refugees to Rwanda would be illegal, and Prince Harry’s accusations of inappropriate, possibly illegal, intrusion by journalists.
Harry’s action was vindicated to some extent and he has several other actions in progress.
How remarkable it is to see government act with such alacrity on the Rwanda issue when it has taken six years to respond to Bishop James Jones report and recommendations on the 1989 Hillsborough disaster. Just over a fortnight ago the government confirmed acceptance of the majority of the Jones proposals, including placing a duty of candour on police officers reporting to public enquiries.
Meanwhile, 20 years have passed since many sub-postmasters were penalised for frauds of which they were not guilty. Despite evidence becoming available years ago that irregularities in sub-Post Office funds were caused by faulty computer software, it is scandalous that those so cruelly damaged by false accusations have not all yet been exonerated.
Just four days to Christmas and I hope you have a happy and stress-free day with family or friends!