Northern Ireland Act 1998

[F1 78M Irish language best practice standards U.K.

(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.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Pt. 7B inserted (22.5.2023 for specified purposes) by Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 (c. 45), ss. 2(1), 10(2); S.I. 2023/566, reg. 2(c)