{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/northern-ireland-act-1998/section-78L",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/northern-ireland-act-1998/section-78L.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/1998/47",
  "legislation_title": "Northern Ireland Act 1998",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/northern-ireland-act-1998",
  "path": "section/78L",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "78L",
  "heading": "Functions of the Commissioner",
  "text": "(1) The principal aim of the Commissioner in exercising functions under this Part is to enhance and protect the use of the Irish language by public authorities in the provision of services to the public or a section of the public in Northern Ireland.\n(2) The Commissioner must—\n(a) prepare and publish, in accordance with sections 78M and 78N, standards of best practice relating to the use of the Irish language by public authorities,\n(b) monitor and promote compliance with those standards, and\n(c) investigate complaints in accordance with section 78P.\n(3) The Commissioner may provide advice, support and guidance to public authorities in relation to the use of the Irish language and the standards of best practice.\n(4) The First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly may direct the Commissioner in relation to the exercise of the Commissioner’s functions.\n(5) In this Part, a reference to services is a reference to services whether provided for payment or not.",
  "extent": null,
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Pt. 7B inserted (22.5.2023 for the insertion of s. 78K, 29.1.2026 for the insertion of ss. 78J(1)(a)(b)(2)(3), 78L(1)(2)(a)(3)-(5), 78M, 78N and 78Q and otherwise prosp.) by Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 (c. 45), ss. 2(1), 10(2); S.I. 2023/566, reg. 2(c); S.I. 2026/75, reg. 2(b)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/47/section/78L",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T09:22:12.253813+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}