Section 78M Irish language best practice standardsF1

(1)

The Commissioner must—

(a)

prepare written standards of best practice relating to 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 (“best practice standards”), and

(b)

submit them to the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

(2)

The First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly may approve best practice standards submitted under subsection (1) with or without modifications.

(3)

The Commissioner must publish best practice standards approved under subsection (2).

(4)

In preparing best practice standards, the Commissioner must—

(a)

have due regard to any guidance of the First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly, and

(b)

consult such public authorities or other persons as the Commissioner considers appropriate.

(5)

Best practice standards—

(a)

must state the date or dates from which they are to be applicable, and

(b)

may make different provision for different public authorities or different descriptions of public authority.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: 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)