With Alun Pugh's publication of "Making the Connections: Delivering Better Services for Wales- a Consultation by the Welsh Assembly Government on the merger of the Welsh Language Board", Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg has roundly condemned his proposals.

Catrin Dafydd, speaking on behalf of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg said:"Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg wishes to see a New Welsh Language Act introduced which will give the Welsh Language official status, establishing basic language rights, and establishing the post of Welsh Language Commissioner.""We believe that there are certain problems with the present Language Board as it stands. As a Society we are not satisfied with the handfull of people that have been appointed to serve on the Board.""Our belief is that the Board should be adjusted so that it could draw on the experience of a wider circle of representatives, from organisations that are involved from day to day in the work of promoting the Welsh language.""Wider representation would lead to more meaningful transactions and greater incusivity, regarding the direction of language policy. It would also ensure that the Board is not seen as an apologist for government policy.""But our basic arguement that any in depth discussions about the future of the Board should take place in the cotext of the need for a New Welsh language Act. The present Language Board is so much part of the 1993 Language Act that its future cannot be discussed without also discussing the future of the Act itself. Alun Pugh has to accept this as he begins on his consultation.""If only Alun Pugh would open his eyes (and ears) he would see that the demand for a New Welsh Language Act is rapidly increasing. A few months ago the Welsh Language Board itself stated publicly that the Language Act needed to be reviewed and strengthened."The opposition parties in Wales have also made favourable noises and important statements have been nade by Lord Gwilym Prys Davies and John Elfed Jones the first chairman of the Welsh Language Board."