Celtic Council Idea Publicised

A radio station on the Isle of Man has interviewed a prominent member of the Celtic League about the organisations' aim of creating a `formal association' between the Celtic countries.

Manx Radio asked the League's Director of Information (DoI), Bernard Moffatt, to explain a new working document that has been produced by the organisation - and discussed at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 18th July in Cornwall - that sets out possible ways for the Celtic countries to work more formally together.

Mr Moffatt told Manx Radio that the motivation for the document was based on a need for a "reappraisal of what the Celtic League is about and what we are trying to aim for, as regards cooperation between the Celtic countries."

The League's AGM discussion on the issue focused on what was exactly meant by a `formal association', as set out in the first article of the League's constitution, which aims to establish "organised relations between the Celtic nations, based on their recognition as distinct nations, and with the long term aim of formal association between them".

The creation of a "formal association" of this kind has been one of the long term aims of the League since the organisation was founded almost 50 years ago, but it has never been fully explored and members have never reached a consensus as to what a `formal association' would involve or how it could be practically achieved. As Mr Moffatt told Manx Radio, the League felt it was necessary to reassess this aim, because of the recent political developments that have occurred in the Celtic countries over the last ten years. Mr Moffatt said:

"In the early 60's when the League was first set up, there were virtually no substantial nationalist forums in existence and certainly no major inter Celtic forums in existence … well of course there have been dramatic changes with the assembly in Wales, the Parliament in Scotland, the British Irish Council (which now promotes contacts) and there is a whole range of institutional contacts at both regional and inter Celtic level…"

The document itself, `A Celtic Council?', was prepared by the League's General Secretary, Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, and outlined existing models of various successful formal associations from around the world, from the Nordic Council to the Arab League. A number of lesser well known bilateral formal associations between the Celtic countries and organisations within the six different nations were also highlighted, such as the `Memorandum of Understanding' between Brittany and Wales and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Highland Council in Scotland and the Nova Scotia Government in Canada. Mr explained that:

"…the Secretary General was looking for authority from the Celtic League to proceed and carry out an assessment of this and is aimed at promoting a discussion about how best cooperation can be developed across the Celtic countries to complement or even develop those that exist at the moment…"

At the AGM, delegates were asked to consider a series of questions related to the document to focus the discussion and to specifically address what shape a `formal association' should take and how organised relations between the Celtic nations could be established, with the long term aim of creating a formal association between them.

During the discussion some pertinent points were raised such as even if a suitable model for a formal association could be agreed upon, with the League's limited resources could the organisation successfully lobby for the model to be implemented. Other issues to come out of the discussion involved whether the League should campaign for one formal association or several different formal associations undertaken through bilateral agreements; whether current inter-Celtic projects (e.g. 'Iomairt Colmcille /The Colmcille initiative') should become part of a wider formalised structure; if commerce and business should be targeted to work more cooperatively together rather than political institutions and whether a formal political association of all the different nations should be lobbied for from the beginning.

It was not expected that a decision could be reached quickly at the AGM, even though it was felt that the Nordic Council model would probably be the most suitable example for the League to follow. The Convenor of the League, Cathal O Luain, therefore asked delegates to discuss the matter further at branch level and to forward their comments to the General Secretary of the League by the end of October 2009.

At the end of the interview with Manx Radio, Mr Moffatt outlined what he thought how the idea of the `Celtic Council' should be pushed forward, saying that the League should perhaps:

"…try to promote it through the various parliaments and assemblies throughout the Celtic countries to get some political support for it…" adding that he would hoped politicians in the Isle of Man will also be approached "to see what they think and to see whether they think it is a useful research tool … for cooperation…"

Link to radio broadcast: (voir le site)

(Report compiled by Rhisiart Tal-e-bot – General Secretary)

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

27/07/09