12.This section requires the Bòrd to develop a national Gaelic language plan which must set out how it proposes to carry out its functions. Those functions include the general functions under section 1(2) of promoting the use and understanding of the Gaelic language; promoting Gaelic education and Gaelic culture; advising on Gaelic language, culture and education matters; and monitoring and reporting to the Scottish Ministers on the implementation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in relation to the Gaelic language. Other more specific functions are provided for elsewhere in the Act.
13.Subsection (1) places a duty on the Bòrd to submit a national Gaelic language plan to the Scottish Ministers within 12 months of the commencement of section 2. The Bòrd must submit a new national plan at any time if required to do so by the Scottish Ministers, or at least within 5 years from the date of publication of the most recent plan.
14.Subsection (2) requires the Bòrd to include in the national Gaelic language plan a strategy for promoting, and facilitating the promotion of, Gaelic education and Gaelic culture, and the use and understanding of the Gaelic language.
15.Subsections (3) and (4), which apply to any plan prepared under subsection (1), require the Bòrd to publish and consult on a draft plan. The Bòrd must allow at least 3 months for the submission of views and take into account any views submitted in that period. The Bòrd is required to consult the Parliament in preparing the plan.
16.Subsection (5) requires the Scottish Ministers, within 6 months of receiving the national plan from the Bòrd, to approve the plan or make comments on it. If the Scottish Ministers make comments on the plan, the Bòrd must submit a further plan taking account of those comments.
17.Subsection (6) provides that if the Bòrd submits a further plan under subsection (5), the Scottish Ministers must approve the plan within 3 months or order the Bòrd to publish the plan in terms which the Scottish Ministers shall decide.
18.Subsection (7) requires the Bòrd to publish the national Gaelic language plan in its final form and to lay a copy of it before the Parliament.