1. Home
  2. Acts
  3. 2003
  4. Click on title below to return to Act

Updated to 26 September 2025 (Act No. 10 of 2025 and S.I. No. 416 of 2025)

The effects marked with a red background are not reflected in the most recent Revised Act. To scroll to next the unapplied effect(s), click here.

Official Languages Act 2003
No. 32 of 2003

Contents

Commencement

SectionCommencement DateCommencement Information
S. 1 14 July 2003 Commenced on enactment
Ss. 2-4 30 October 2003 An tOrdú Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 (Tosach Feidhme) 2003 (S.I. No. 518 of 2003), art. 2
Ss. 5, 6 19 January 2004 An tOrdú Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 (Tosach Feidhme) 2004 (S.I. No. 32 of 2004), art. 3
Ss. 7, 8 14 July 2006 In operation since 14 July 2006
S. 9(1), (2) 19 January 2004 An tOrdú Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 (Tosach Feidhme) 2004 (S.I. No. 32 of 2004), art. 3
S. 9(3) 14 July 2006 In operation since 14 July 2006
S. 10 1 May 2004 An tOrdú Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 (Tosach Feidhme) 2004 (S.I. No. 32 of 2004), art. 4
Ss. 11-30 19 January 2004 An tOrdú Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 (Tosach Feidhme) 2004 (S.I. No. 32 of 2004), art. 3
Ss. 31-35 30 October 2003 An tOrdú Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 (Tosach Feidhme) 2003 (S.I. No. 518 of 2003), art. 2
S. 36 19 January 2004 An tOrdú Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 (Tosach Feidhme) 2004 (S.I. No. 32 of 2004), art. 3
Schs. 1, 2 19 January 2004 An tOrdú Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 (Tosach Feidhme) 2004 (S.I. No. 32 of 2004), art. 3

Amendments and other effects

How AffectedAffecting Provision
Act included in collectively cited Official Languages Acts 49/21, ss. 2, 20(2)
Functions transferred and references construed (Mayor of Limerick) 7/2024, ss. 1(3), 10, 23, 25, 26, 28 & sch. 1 parts 1, 2
Transfer of certain functions S.I. No. 175 of 2025, arts. 1(2), 3(1)(a), 4-8, schedule, part 1
  S. I. No. 164 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3(1) & sch., pt. 1
S. 2 reference to "Minister" construed S. I. No. 164 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3(1) & sch., pt. 1
S. 2(1) amended 49/2021, ss. 2(a), (b), 20(3)
S. 2(1) amended 49/2021, ss. 2(c), 20(3)
S. 2(1) amended 7/2018, ss. 1(3), 194
S. 4 functions transferred and references construed S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1
S. 4A inserted 49/2021, ss. 3, 20(3)
S. 4B inserted 49/2021, ss. 3, 20(3)
S. 7 substit. (in the Irish text) 23/2011, s. 62(a)
S. 7 substit. (in the English text) 23/2011, s. 62(b)
S. 7 non-application of 38/2014, ss. 1(2), 1447(1)
  10/2011, ss. 1(2), 5
  9/2011, s. 24
  36/2010, ss. 1(2), 70
  34/2009, ss. 1(3), 230
S. 9(1) amended 49/2021, ss. 4(a), 20(3)
S. 9(2) substituted 49/2021, ss. 4(b), 20(3)
S. 9(3) substituted 49/2021, ss. 4(c), 20(3)
S. 9(4) inserted 49/2021, ss. 4(c), 20(3)
S. 9A-9E inserted 49/2021, ss. 5, 20(3)
S. 10 functions transferred and references construed S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1
S. 10A inserted 49/2021, ss. 6, 20(3)
S. 11 repealed with transitional provisions 49/2021, ss. 17, 19, 20(3)
S. 11(3) functions transferred and references construed S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1
S. 12 repealed 49/2021, ss. 17, 20(3)
S. 13 repealed 49/2021, ss. 17, 19, 20(3)
S. 14 repealed 49/2021, ss. 17, 20(3)
S. 14(4) inserted 49/2021, ss. 7, 20(3)
S. 15 repealed with transitional provisions 49/2021, ss. 17, 19, 20(3)
S. 16 repealed 49/2021, ss. 17, 20(3)
S. 17 repealed with transitional provisions 49/2021, ss. 17, 19, 20(3)
S. 18 repealed 49/2021, ss. 17, 20(3)
S. 18A-18F inserted 49/2021, ss. 8, 20(3)
S. 19A-19D inserted 49/2021, ss. 9, 20(3)
S. 21(aa) inserted 49/2021, ss. 10, 20(3)
S. 27 functions transferred and references construed S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1
S. 29 amended 49/2021, ss. 11, 20(3)
S. 31 amended 49/2021, ss. 12, 20(3)
Ss. 31A-31C inserted 49/2021, ss. 13, 20(3)
S. 32 orders under, provisions revoked by conflicting subsequent orders 37/2001, s. 192(4) as inserted by 20/2011, ss. 1(5), 48
S. 32(1) amended 49/2021, ss. 14, 20(3)
S. 32(2) (Irish text) substituted 1/2019, ss. 1(2), 47(1)(a)
S. 32(2) (English text) substituted 1/2019, ss. 1(2), 47(1)(b)
S. 32(2) substit. 20/2011, ss. 1(5), 49
S. 36 am. 38/2012, ss. 1(3), 23
Sch. 1 am. 23/2010, ss. 2, 15(12), sch. 2, pt. 12
Sch. 1, constr. refs. 55/2015), s. 7(2)
  44/2015, s. 39(1), (2)
  42/2015, ss. 1(4), 76(3)
  16/2015, ss. 1(2), 57(2), (3)
  16/2015, ss. 1(2), 66(2), (3)
  27/2014, ss. 28(1), 33(4), 35(2), 43
  25/2014, ss. 1(3), 8, 44(2)
  20/2014, ss. 1(3), 4, 6(2)
  25/1990, s. 9A as inserted by 20/2013, ss. 1(5), 26
  24/2011, s. 13
Sch. 1, par. 1(1) am. 10/2011, ss. 1(2), 6, 92
  10/2010, ss. 5 (2), 8(3)(a), & sch. 2, pt. 14
  44/2009, ss. 14(1), 15(3) and sch. part 1
  19/2007, ss. 1(2), 40(1) and sch. 3, pt. 1
  33/2004, ss. 3, 4, 61 (1), 63, sch. 2, pt. 1
Sch. 1 par 1(2) reference to Ervia construed 11/2024, ss. 1(2), 6, 11
Sch. 1 par. 1(2) reference to Bord na gCon construed 15/2019, s. 8(2)
Sch. 1 par. 1(2) reference to National Sports Campus Development Authority construed 15/2015, ss. 6, 31
Sch. 1 par. 1(2) reference to National Consumer Agency construed 29/2014, ss. 1(5), 8, 39
Sch. 1 par. 1(2) reference to Bord Gáis Éireann construed 5/2014, ss. 8(1), (2), 9(3)
Sch. 1 par. 1(2) reference to Medical Council construed 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(3)
Sch. 1 para. 1(2) amended S.I. No. 230 of 2020, reg. 2
  11/2013, ss. 1(2), 72(1), sch. 6, item 44
  21/2010, ss. 2, 165
  19/2007, ss. 1(2), 40(1) and sch. 3, pt. 1
  S.I. No. 150 of 2006, regs. 1(2), 3
Sch. 1, para. 1(4) deleted 49/2021, ss. 15(a)(i), 20(3)
Sch. 1, para. 1(5)(d) substituted 49/2021, ss. 15(a)(ii), 20(3)
Sch. 1, para. 2 amended 49/2021, ss. 15(b), 20(3)
Sch. 1, para. 3 amended 49/2021, ss. 15(c), 20(3)
Sch. 1, para. 3A inserted 49/2021, ss. 15(d), 20(3)
Sch. 2 superannuation schemes established S.I. No. 580 of 2009
  S.I. No. 579 of 2009
Sch. 2 para. 2(c) substituted 39/2018, s. 7 and sch.
Sch. 2 para. 2(c) amended 7/2004, ss. 3, 6, 7, 10, sch. 2, pt. 2

SIs made under the Act

SectionSIs made under the Act
S. 4 Official Languages Act 2003 (Public Bodies) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 230 of 2020)
  Official Languages Act 2003 (Section 9) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 391 of 2008)
  Official Languages Act 2003 (Public Bodies) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 150 of 2006)
  Na Rialacháin um Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 (Léarscáileanna Forordaithe) 2004 (Official Languages Act 2003 (Prescribed Maps) Regulations 2004) (S.I. No. 212 of 2004)
S. 9(1) Official Languages Act 2003 (Section 9) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 391 of 2008)
S. 18A(1) An tOrdú um Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 (S.I. No. 312 of 2022)
S. 20 Scéim Aoisliútais An Choimisinéara Teanga 2009 (An Choimisinéara Teanga Superannuation Scheme 2009) (S.I. No. 580 of 2009)
  Scéim Pinsean Ranníocach An Choimisinéara Teanga Do Chéilí Agus Leanaí 2009 (An Choimisinéara Teanga Contributory Pension Scheme for Spouses and Children 2009) (S.I. No. 579 of 2009)
S. 32(1) Placenames (County Cork) Order 2012 (S.I. No. 395 of 2012)
  Placenames (Ceantair Ghaeltachta) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 599 of 2011)
  Placenames (Co. Dublin) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 598 of 2011)
  An tOrdú Logainmneacha (Contae Luimnigh) (Leasú) 2008 (S.I. No. 115 of 2008)
  An tOrdú Logainmneacha (Contae Thiobraid Árann) 2005 (Placenames (Co. Tipperary Order 2005) (S.I. No. 847 of 2005)
  An tOrdú Logainmneacha (Lárionaid Daonra agus Dúichí) 2005 (Placenames (Centres of Population and Districts) Order 2005) (S.I. No. 59 of 2005)
  An tOrdúLogainmneacha (Ceantair Ghaeltachta) 2004 (S.I. No. 872 of 2004)
  An tOrdúLogainmneacha (Contae Uibh Fhailí) 2003 (S.I. No. 525 of 2003)
  An tOrdúLogainmneacha (Contae Phort Láirge) 2003 (S.I. No. 524 of 2003)
  An tOrdúLogainmneacha (Contae Mhuineacháin) 2003 (S.I. No. 523 of 2003)
  An tOrdúLogainmneacha (Contae Luimnigh) 2003 (S.I. No. 522 of 2003)
  An tOrdúLogainmneacha (Contae Lú) 2003 (S.I. No. 521 of 2003)
  An tOrdúLogainmneacha (Contae Chill Chainnigh) 2003 (S.I. No. 520 of 2003)
  An tOrdúLogainmneacha (Contaetha agus Cúigí) 2003 (S.I. No. 519 of 2003)
S. 33(2)(b) Na Rialacháin um Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 (Léarscáileanna Forordaithe) 2004 (Official Languages Act 2003 (Prescribed Maps) Regulations 2004) (S.I. No. 212 of 2004)
Sch. 2 Scéim Aoisliútais An Choimisinéara Teanga 2009 (An Choimisinéara Teanga Superannuation Scheme 2009) (S.I. No. 580 of 2009)
  Scéim Pinsean Ranníocach An Choimisinéara Teanga Do Chéilí Agus Leanaí 2009 (An Choimisinéara Teanga Contributory Pension Scheme for Spouses and Children 2009) (S.I. No. 579 of 2009)