ÚDARÁS NA GAELTACHTA (AMENDMENT) ACT 2026

An Act to amend the Údarás na Gaeltachta Act 1979; to make certain changes to the membership of, and provisions applying to, the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta; to extend the functions of Údarás na Gaeltachta; to provide for regional committees of Údarás na Gaeltachta; to provide for the election of certain members to the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta and for that purpose to amend the Electoral Act 1992, the Electoral Act 1997 and the Litter Pollution Act 1997; to amend the Official Languages Act 2003; to amend the Gaeltacht Act 2012; to amend the Data Protection Act 2018; to amend the Local Government Act 2001; and to provide for related matters.

[1st July, 2026]

Be it enacted by the Oireachtas as follows:

PART 1 Preliminary and General

1. Short title and commencement

1. (1) This Act may be cited as the Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Act 2026.

• (2) This Act, other than section 13, shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht may by order or orders appoint either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days may be so appointed for different purposes or different provisions.

2. Definition

2. In this Act, “Principal Act” means the Údarás na Gaeltachta Act 1979.

PART 2 Amendment of Principal Act

3. Amendment of section 2 of Principal Act

3. Section 2(1) of the Principal Act is amended—

• (a) by the deletion of the definition of “county council”,

• (b) by the substitution of the following for the definition of “local authority”:

“ ‘local authority’ has the same meaning as it has in the Act of 2001;”,

and

• (c) by the insertion of the following definitions:

“ ‘Act of 2001’ means the Local Government Act 2001;

‘appointed member’ means a member referred to in section 6(2)(a);

‘district’ shall be construed in accordance with section 26D;

‘elected member’ means a member referred to in section 6(2)(b);

‘election’ means an election of members to an tÚdarás under Part IVA;

‘prescribed’ means prescribed by regulations made by the Minister;

‘reserve list’ means the list maintained pursuant to section 6(2F);”.

4. Regulations and orders

4. The Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 5:

“5A. (1) The Minister may by regulations provide for any matter referred to in this Act as prescribed or to be prescribed.

• (2) Regulations under this Act or an order under section 26B(1) or 26D(2), may—

  • (a) make different provision for different circumstances or cases, classes or types, and

  • (b) contain such incidental, supplementary and consequential provisions as appear to the Minister to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of the regulations or order.

• (3) Subject to subsection (4), every regulation and order made by the Minister under this Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the regulation or order is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House sits after the regulation or order is laid before it, the regulation or order shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.

• (4) An order under section 26D(3) shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the order shall not be made until a resolution approving the draft has been passed by each such House.”.

5. Amendment of section 6 of Principal Act

5. Section 6 of the Principal Act is amended—

• (a) by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (2):

• “(2) An tÚdarás shall consist of the following members—

  • (a) 6 members who shall be appointed by the Minister, and

  • (b) 10 members who shall be elected in accordance with Part IVA.”,

• (b) by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (2A):

• “(2AA) The Minister shall appoint a chairperson from among the members of an tÚdarás.”,

and

• (c) by the insertion of the following subsections after subsection (2B):

• “(2C) A person shall not be eligible for appointment or election unless he or she is competent in the Irish language and able to conduct the business of an tÚdarás through the medium of the Irish language.

• (2D) For the purposes of subsection (2C), the Minister may, having regard to the system of standards known as the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, prescribe the level of competence in the Irish language required by a person referred to in that subsection.

• (2E) A person shall not be eligible for election unless he or she resides in a district and an elected member shall reside in the district in respect of which he or she has been elected.

• (2F) The Minister shall maintain a reserve list of candidates for the purposes of filling casual vacancies and temporary absences in accordance with paragraphs 5(1A)(b) and 5A(4)(b) of the First Schedule.”.

6. Amendment of section 8 of Principal Act

6. Section 8 of the Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (7):

• “(7A) An tÚdarás may sell or otherwise dispose of land to an approved housing body (within the meaning of the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019) or to a housing authority (within the meaning of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992) for the provision of housing in the Gaeltacht.”.

7. Amendment of section 10A of Principal Act

7. Section 10A of the Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following subsections after subsection (5):

• “(6) An tÚdarás shall establish a committee (in this section referred to as a ‘regional committee’) for each of the following areas—

  • (a) the districts specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 26D(1),

  • (b) the districts specified in paragraphs (c) and (g) of section 26D(1), and

  • (c) the districts specified in paragraphs (d), (e) and (f) of section 26D(1).

• (7) The regional committee in the area referred to in—

  • (a) subsection (6)(a), shall have 5 members,

  • (b) subsection (6)(b), shall have 7 members, and

  • (c) subsection (6)(c), shall have 6 members.

• (8) The members of the regional committees shall be appointed by an tÚdarás and shall consist of—

  • (a) the elected members for the area in respect of which the regional committee is established, and

  • (b) persons being members of such of the local authorities, as determined by an tÚdarás, and nominated for that purpose by the local authority in the area in respect of which the regional committee is established.

• (9) The elected member for the district specified in section 26D(1)(a) shall also be a member of the regional committee in the area referred to in subsection (6)(b).

• (10) A person referred to in subsection (8)(b) shall be a member of the local authority for a local electoral area (within the meaning of the Act of 2001) that is in the area concerned.

• (11) Where a member of a local authority referred to in subsection (8)(b) is not available, the local authority shall nominate a person who—

  • (a) it considers suitable for appointment to the regional committee,

  • (b) is competent in the Irish language, and

  • (c) resides in the area concerned.

• (12) A regional committee shall appoint a chairperson from among the members of the committee.

• (13) The members of a regional committee shall be competent to conduct the business of the committee in the Irish language.

• (14) The quorum for a meeting of a regional committee shall be two-thirds of the number of members of the committee at the time of the meeting.

• (15) An tÚdarás may determine the terms of reference and regulate the procedure of a regional committee.

• (16) A regional committee shall consult with language planning groups, in the area in respect of which the regional committee is established, for the purpose of advising and assisting an tÚdarás in the performance of its functions in that area.

• (17) A regional committee may act notwithstanding one or more than one vacancy among its members.

• (18)

  • (a) A member of a regional committee shall hold office for such term and subject to such other terms and conditions (other than terms and conditions relating to allowances for expenses) as an tÚdarás may determine.

  • (b) A member of a regional committee shall be paid by an tÚdarás, out of moneys at its disposal, such allowances for expenses as the Minister may from time to time, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, determine.

• (19) If a member of a regional committee who is—

  • (a) an elected member, or

  • (b) a member of a local authority,

  ceases to be such, he or she shall also cease to be a member of the regional committee.

• (20) Paragraphs 6 and 7 of the First Schedule shall apply to a member of a regional committee as they apply to a member of an tÚdarás, subject to any necessary modifications.”.

8. Insertion of new Part IVA in Principal Act

8. The Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following Part after Part IV:

“Part IVA

ELECTION OF CERTAIN MEMBERS TO AN TÚDARÁS

Interpretation

26A. In this Part—

‘elector’ means a person referred to in section 26C;

‘register of local government electors’ shall be construed in accordance with section 13(1) of the Electoral Act 1992;

‘Regulations of 1995’ means the Local Elections Regulations 1995 (S.I. No. 297 of 1995).

An tÚdarás election

26B. (1) Where the number of candidates for election in a district exceeds the number of members to be elected to an tÚdarás for that district, the Minister shall, after consultation with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, by order fix a day for the holding of a poll for an election in the district concerned.

• (2) If an election is contested, the poll shall be taken according to the system of proportional representation, each elector having one transferable vote.

• (3) In fixing the day under subsection (1), the Minister may have regard to the day fixed for the holding of a poll at a local election under section 26 of the Act of 2001.

• (4) An election shall be managed by the local authority in each district and shall be held in accordance with regulations under section 26G.

• (5) The costs incurred by a local authority in the holding of an election shall be borne by the Minister out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.

Right to vote

26C. For the purposes of an election, every person whose name is on the register of local government electors in respect of the district in which an election is to be held shall be entitled to vote.

District

26D. (1) For the purposes of an election, each of the following shall be a district:

- (a) the Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas situated in the county of Mayo specified in—

    - (i) the Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) (No. 5) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 392 of 2018), and

    - (ii) the Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) (No.2) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 432 of 2022);

- (b) the Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas situated in the county of Donegal specified in—

    - (i) the Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 543 of 2017),

    - (ii) the Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 545 of 2017),

    - (iii) the Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) (No. 6) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 485 of 2018),

    - (iv) the Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 334 of 2019),

    - (v) the Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) (No. 3) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 698 of 2019),

    - (vi) the Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) (No. 2) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 708 of 2021),

    - (vii) the Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) (No. 3) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 709 of 2021), and

    - (viii) the Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) (No. 5) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 482 of 2022);

- (c) the Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas situated in the counties of Galway and Mayo specified in—

    - (i) Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 544 of 2017),

    - (ii) Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) (No. 4) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 347 of 2018),

    - (iii) Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) (No. 7) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 569 of 2018),

    - (iv) Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) (No. 9) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 601 of 2018),

    - (v) Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) (No. 2) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 496 of 2019),

    - (vi) Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 707 of 2021),

    - (vii) Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) (No. 4) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 710 of 2021),

    - (viii) Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 250 of 2022),

    - (ix) Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) (No. 3) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 433 of 2022), and

    - (x) Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) (No. 6) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 636 of 2022);

- (d) the Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas situated in the county of Kerry specified in—

    - (i) Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) (No. 2) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 258 of 2018), and

    - (ii) Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) (No. 3) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 332 of 2018);

- (e) the Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas situated in the county of Cork specified in—

    - (i) Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 253 of 2018), and

    - (ii) Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) (No. 4) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 481 of 2022);

- (f) the Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas situated in the county of Waterford specified in Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) (Na Déise) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 97 of 2018);

- (g) the Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas situated in the county of Meath specified in Gaeltacht Act 2012 (Designation of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas) (No. 8) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 600 of 2018).

• (2) The Minister shall make an order under subsection (3) where—

  • (a) an order specified in subsection (1) and made under section 7(2) of the Act of 2012 is—

    • (i) amended, or

    • (ii) revoked,

    or

  • (b) an order is made under section 7(2) of the Act of 2012, after the date of the passing of the Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Act 2026, designating an area to be a Gaeltacht Language Planning Area.

• (3) The Minister, for the purpose of ensuring that the Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas specified in subsection (1) are accurate in each district, and having regard to the order made under section 7(2) of the Act of 2012 after the date of the passing of the Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Act 2026, shall by order revise a district to provide for the amendment, removal or addition of a Gaeltacht Language Planning Area, as the case may be.

• (4) In this section ‘Act of 2012’ means the Gaeltacht Act 2012.

Elected members

26E. (1) An tÚdarás shall consist of the following number of elected members—

- (a) one person from the district specified in section 26D(1)(a),

- (b) 2 persons from the district specified in section 26D(1)(b),

- (c) 3 persons from the district specified in section 26D(1)(c),

- (d) one person from the district specified in section 26D(1)(d),

- (e) one person from the district specified in section 26D(1)(e),

- (f) one person from the district specified in section 26D(1)(f), and

- (g) one person from the district specified in section 26D(1)(g).

• (2) If there are insufficient elected members in a district, the Minister shall appoint one or more persons to an tÚdarás in accordance with paragraph 4A of the First Schedule.

Returning officers

26F. (1) Before fixing a day for the holding of a poll for an election under section 26B, the local authority in each district shall appoint a returning officer.

• (2) A returning officer appointed under subsection (1) shall—

  • (a) do all such acts and things as may be necessary for the effectual conduct of an election in accordance with this Part,

  • (b) ascertain and declare the results of that election, and

  • (c) confirm the results of that election to the Minister.

• (3) A returning officer appointed under subsection (1) may appoint one or more persons to be a deputy returning officer and may delegate to any deputy returning officer such of the functions of the returning officer as may be specified in the appointment.

• (4) A returning officer appointed under subsection (1) and a deputy returning officer appointed under subsection (3) shall be subject to such terms and conditions, including remuneration, as the Minister may determine.

Regulations

26G. (1) The Minister may make regulations for the purposes of this Part.

• (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), regulations under this section may provide for all or any of the following matters:

  • (a) arrangements for the conduct of elections, including the management of elections by local authorities;

  • (b) arrangements for the holding of an election on the same day as a local authority election, where the Minister considers it appropriate and after consultation with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, including the appointment of the same returning officer and the sharing of resources;

  • (c) the eligibility of candidates for election;

  • (d) the nomination of candidates;

  • (e) death of a candidate;

  • (f) the use of the register of local government electors for an election, including the modification of that register and the publication or making available of the register, as modified;

  • (g) the form and content of the ballot paper in respect of an election;

  • (h) arrangements relating to the provision of information and polling cards to electors;

  • (i) the appointment of the returning officer for the purposes of an election, his or her duties and the assignment of staff to him or her for the purposes of the election;

  • (j) the taking of the poll and the counting (including recounting) of votes in an election;

  • (k) the designation of polling stations;

  • (l) the use of school premises and other premises to which the public ordinarily have access for purposes connected with an election;

  • (m) arrangements for voting at an election in person or by post;

  • (n) polling at an election on islands forming part of a district;

  • (o) the maintenance of the secrecy of the ballot;

  • (p) the removal of persons misconducting themselves in polling stations;

  • (q) procedures to be followed in cases of disorder or obstruction at polling stations or otherwise in relation to the holding of an election;

  • (r) procedures to be followed in the case of interference with ballot boxes or damage to ballot boxes;

  • (s) modifications of the provisions specified in section 26H(1) for the purposes of that section;

  • (t) such other matters relating to the holding of an election as the Minister considers appropriate.

  Electoral offences

  26H. (1) Articles 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118 and 119 of the Regulations of 1995 shall apply and have effect in relation to an election as they apply and have effect in relation to a local election, subject to such modifications as shall be specified in regulations under section 26G(2)(s) and any other necessary modifications.

• (2) It shall be an offence to contravene an Article of the Regulations of 1995, applied and modified under subsection (1) in relation to an election, the contravention of which is declared in the Regulations of 1995 to be an offence.”.

9. Amendment of First Schedule to Principal Act

9. The First Schedule to the Principal Act is amended—

• (a) by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph 2:

“2. (1) A member of an tÚdarás shall, unless the member sooner dies, resigns, becomes disqualified or is removed from office, hold office for such period not exceeding 6 years as the Minister may determine.

• (2) The period of office of an elected member shall commence on such date as may be specified by the Minister.”,

• (b) by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph 4:

“Insufficient elected members.

4A. (1) The Minister shall appoint a person to an tÚdarás if there are insufficient elected members in a district and that member shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to be an elected member.

• (2) A member appointed under paragraph (1) shall, in so far as possible, reside in the district concerned.”,

• (c) in paragraph 5—

• (i) by the insertion of the following subparagraph after subparagraph (1):

• “(1A) Where the casual vacancy is caused by—

  • (a) an elected member, the Minister may request that member to nominate a person for appointment, who resides in the district concerned, or

  • (b) an appointed member, the Minister shall appoint a person from the reserve list.”,

and

• (ii) by the insertion of the following subparagraph after subparagraph (3):

• “(4) Where the member causing the casual vacancy is an elected member, the person appointed to fill that vacancy under this paragraph shall, in so far as possible, reside in the district concerned.”,

• (d) by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph 5:

“Temporary absences.

5A. (1) A temporary absence among the members of an tÚdarás shall occur where the member is unable to attend 2 or more consecutive meetings of an tÚdarás and his or her absence is not due to a casual vacancy but is—

• (a) occasioned by the member taking leave under the Maternity Protection Act 1994, or

• (b) for another reason,

referred to in this paragraph as a ‘temporary absence’.

• (2) A member of an tÚdarás who intends to take a temporary absence shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, but not later than 4 weeks before the date of the commencement of the absence, notify the chairperson of his or her intention.

• (3) The Minister may appoint a person (referred to in this paragraph as a ‘temporary member’) to an tÚdarás for the duration of a temporary absence.

• (4) Where the temporary absence is caused by—

  • (a) an elected member, the Minister may request that member to nominate a person for appointment, who resides in the district concerned, or

  • (b) an appointed member, the Minister may appoint a temporary member from the reserve list.

• (5) Where the member causing the absence is an elected member, the temporary member shall, in so far as possible, reside in the district concerned.

• (6) A term served by a temporary member shall not be taken into account for the purposes of paragraph 3.

• (7) A member of an tÚdarás shall not be entitled to any remuneration or allowances for expenses for the duration of his or her temporary absence.”,

• (e) in paragraph 7(2)—

• (i) by the substitution of the following clause for clause (a):

• “(a) is adjudicated bankrupt and such bankruptcy has not been annulled or discharged,”,

and

• (ii) by the insertion of the following clause after clause (a):

• “(aa) is an individual who is party to an insolvency arrangement (within the meaning of the Personal Insolvency Act 2012) that has not ceased to have effect,”,

and

• (f) by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph 12:

“Absence from meetings.

1. The Minister may reduce the remuneration and allowances for expenses payable to a member of an tÚdarás where he or she fails, without reasonable excuse, to attend one or more meetings of an tÚdarás.”.

PART 3 Amendment of Other Acts

10. Amendment of Electoral Act 1992

10. The Electoral Act 1992 is amended—

• (a) in section 2, by the insertion, in subsection (1) of the following definition:

“ ‘election to Údarás na Gaeltachta’ means an election of members to Údarás na Gaeltachta held pursuant to Part IVA of the Údarás na Gaeltachta Act 1979;”,

• (b) in section 11, by the substitution, in subsection (2), of “European, local or Limerick mayoral election, an election to Údarás na Gaeltachta or a referendum” for “European, local or Limerick mayoral election or a referendum”,

• (c) in section 14(2), by the substitution, in paragraph (c), of “European, local or Limerick mayoral election, an election to Údarás na Gaeltachta or a referendum” for “European, local or Limerick mayoral election, or a referendum”,

• (d) in section 17, by the substitution—

• (i) in subsection (1), of “Act 2024, at a plebiscite in accordance with Part 6 of that Act or at an election to Údarás na Gaeltachta” for “Act 2024 or at a plebiscite in accordance with Part 6 of that Act”, and

• (ii) in subsection (6)(c), of “European, local or Limerick mayoral election, an election to Údarás na Gaeltachta or a referendum” for “European, local or Limerick mayoral election or a referendum”,

• (e) in section 165(1)—

• (i) by the substitution, in paragraph (h), of “election;” for “election.”, and

• (ii) by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (h):

• “(i) the poll at an election to Údarás na Gaeltachta.”,

and

• (f) in Rule 14 of the Second Schedule, by the substitution in paragraph (5) of “a Limerick mayoral election, an election to Údarás na Gaeltachta or” for “a Limerick mayoral election or”.

11. Amendment of Electoral Act 1997

11. Section 18 of the Electoral Act 1997 is amended, in subsection (2), by the substitution of “the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024 or the Údarás na Gaeltachta Act 1979” for “the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024”.

12. Amendment of Litter Pollution Act 1997

12. The Litter Pollution Act 1997 is amended—

• (a) in section 19(7), by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (c):

• “(ca) relates to an election, within the meaning of the Údarás na Gaeltachta Act 1979, unless the advertisement has been in place prior to the making of an order by the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht appointing the day upon which the poll shall be taken, or for 7 days or more after the latest day upon which the poll was taken for the election, or”,

and

• (b) in section 21(3), by the substitution, in paragraph (b) of “a plebiscite within the meaning of Part 6 of the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024, an election within the meaning of the Údarás na Gaeltachta Act 1979,” for “a plebiscite within the meaning of Part 6 of the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024,”.

13. Amendment of Official Languages Act 2003

13. The Official Languages Act 2003 is amended—

• (a) by the substitution, in section 9(4)(a), of “ná ní lú feiceálacht, infheictheacht ná inléiteacht an chuid den téacs a bheidh i nGaeilge ná an chuid den téacs a bheidh i mBéarla, agus” for “agus beidh sí chomh feiceálach, chomh hinfheicthe agus chomh hinléite céanna leis an gcuid den téacs a bheidh i mBéarla, agus”,

• (b) in section 9C—

• (i) by the substitution, in subsection (1), of “creating, renewing” for “renewing”,

• (ii) by the substitution, in subsection (2)(b), of “ná ní lú feiceálacht, infheictheacht ná inléiteacht an chuid den téacs a bheidh i nGaeilge ná an chuid den téacs a bheidh i mBéarla, agus” for “agus beidh sí chomh feiceálach, chomh hinfheicthe agus chomh hinléite céanna leis an gcuid den téacs a bheidh i mBéarla, agus”, and

• (iii) by the substitution, in subsection (3), of “programme, brand” for “programme”,

• (c) in section 9D—

• (i) by the substitution, in subsection (1), of “Irish language only and that name shall be the only name used by the body” for “Irish language”, and

• (ii) by the substitution, in subsection (3)(b), of “ná ní lú feiceálacht, infheictheacht ná inléiteacht an chuid den téacs a bheidh i nGaeilge ná an chuid den téacs a bheidh i mBéarla, agus” for “agus beidh sí chomh feiceálach, chomh hinfheicthe agus chomh hinléite céanna leis an gcuid den téacs a bheidh i mBéarla, agus”,

• (d) in section 10A—

• (i) by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (1):

• “(1A) This section shall not apply to—

  • (a) advertising that—

    • (i) targets an audience outside the State, and

    • (ii) is not in an official language,

    or

  • (b) advertising on—

    • (i) an audiovisual broadcasting service,

    • (ii) an audiovisual on-demand media service, or

    • (iii) a sound broadcasting service,

    that promotes a programme.”,

and

• (ii) by the insertion, in subsection (2), of the following definitions: “

‘Act of 2009’ means the Broadcasting Act 2009;

‘audiovisual broadcasting service’ has the same meaning as it has in the Act of 2009;

‘audiovisual on-demand media service’ has the same meaning as it has in the Act of 2009;

‘programme’ has the same meaning as it has in the Act of 2009;

‘sound broadcasting service’ has the same meaning as it has in the Act of 2009;”,

• (e) in section 18B—

• (i) by the substitution, in subsection (1)(b), of “15” for “10”, and

• (ii) by the substitution, in subsection (3)(d), of “11” for “6”,

• (f) by the substitution, in section 18C(3), of the following paragraph for paragraph (b):

• “(b) increasing the number of staff of public bodies who are competent in the Irish language so that, as soon as practicable after the establishment day, but no later than 31 December 2030, at least 20 per cent of appointments made in a public body in a given year, by way of recruitment or promotion, are so competent.”,

and

• (g) by the insertion of the following section after section 19A:

“Savers

19AA. (1) Notwithstanding the repeal of section 14 by section 17 of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021, a scheme in respect of a public body under section 14 shall remain in force until a language standard is prescribed under section 19A(2) to apply to that body.

• (2) Notwithstanding the repeal of section 18 by section 17 of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021, section 18 shall continue to apply to a public body until a language standard is prescribed under section 19A(2) to apply to that body.”.

14. Amendment of Gaeltacht Act 2012

14. The Gaeltacht Act 2012 is amended—

• (a) in section 7—

• (i) by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (11):

• “(11A) An Irish language plan approved before or after the date of the coming into operation of section 14(a)(i) of the Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Act 2026 shall remain in force for a period of 7 years from the date on which the Minister approves the plan and the Minister may extend the duration of the plan to a period of not more than 9 years, following a request from Údarás na Gaeltachta.”,

and

• (ii) by the insertion of the following subsections after subsection (16):

• “(17) At any time before, or within the period of 12 months after, the expiry of the period for which an Irish language plan remains in force pursuant to subsection (11A), the Minister may—

  • (a) exercise his or her power under subsection (18) to direct Údarás na Gaeltachta to request a new Irish language plan from the organisation previously selected under subsection (6), (10)(a) or (13)(a), or

  • (b) publish, in such form and manner as the Minister considers appropriate, a notice of the Minister’s intention to approve a new Irish language plan in respect of the Gaeltacht Language Planning Area concerned and shall include in the notice—

    • (i) the period within which applications under subsection (4) may be made,

    • (ii) the period within which a plan referred to in subsection (7) is to be prepared and submitted to the Minister, and

    • (iii) any other information that the Minister considers necessary for the purposes of this section.

• (18) Where following a review under section 8(3), the Minister considers that the Irish language plan prepared by an organisation referred to in subsection (17)(a) has been effective in encouraging the use of the Irish language in accordance with prescribed language planning criteria, the Minister may direct Údarás na Gaeltachta to request that organisation to prepare a new Irish language plan in respect of the Gaeltacht Language Planning area, within such period as may be specified by the Minister.

• (19) Where the organisation the subject of the request under subsection (18) prepares a new Irish language plan, it shall submit that plan to the Minister for approval within the period specified.

• (20) The Minister may, having regard to prescribed language planning criteria, approve the plan submitted to him or her under subsection (19) and the Minister shall, by notice in writing, inform the organisation concerned.

• (21) Where the Minister publishes a notice under subsection (17)(b), subsections (4) to (13) shall apply to the selection of an organisation and the approval of a new Irish language plan, subject to the following modifications:

  • (a) each reference to ‘subsection (3)’ shall be construed as a reference to ‘subsection (17)(b)’;

  • (b) the reference in subsection (11) to ‘the Minister shall make an order under subsection (2) in relation to the area concerned’ shall be construed as a reference to ‘the Minister shall, by notice in writing, inform the organisation concerned’.”,

• (b) in section 8(3), by the substitution, of “approved under subsection (11) or (20) of section 7” for “approved of under section 7(11)”,

• (c) in section 9—

• (i) by the substitution, in subsection (1), of “situated in, adjacent to or within a radius of 30 kilometres of a Gaeltacht Language Planning Area” for “situated in or adjacent to a Gaeltacht Language Planning Area”,

• (ii) by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (11):

• “(11A) An Irish language plan approved before or after the date of the coming into operation of section 14(c)(ii) of the Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Act 2026 shall remain in force for a period of 7 years from the date on which the Minister approves the plan and the Minister may extend the duration of the plan to a period of not more than 9 years, following a request from Údarás na Gaeltachta or Foras na Gaeilge, as may be appropriate.”,

and

• (iii) by the insertion of the following subsections after subsection (15):

• “(16) At any time before, or within the period of 12 months after, the expiry of the period for which an Irish language plan remains in force pursuant to subsection (11A), the Minister may—

  • (a) exercise his or her power under subsection (17) to direct Údarás na Gaeltachta or Foras na Gaeilge, as may be appropriate, to request a new Irish language plan from the organisation previously selected under subsection (5), (6), (10)(a) or (13)(a), or

  • (b) publish, in such form and manner as the Minister considers appropriate, a notice of the Minister’s intention to approve a new Irish language plan in respect of the Gaeltacht Service Town concerned and shall include in the notice—

    • (i) the period within which an Irish language plan referred to in subsection (7) is to be prepared and submitted to the Minister, and

    • (ii) any other information that the Minister considers necessary for the purposes of this section.

• (17) Where following a review under section 10(3), the Minister considers that the Irish language plan prepared by an organisation referred to in subsection (16)(a) has been effective in encouraging the use of the Irish language in accordance with prescribed language planning criteria, the Minister may direct Údarás na Gaeltachta or Foras na Gaeilge, as may be appropriate, to request that organisation to prepare a new Irish language plan in respect of the Gaeltacht Service Town, within such period as may be specified by the Minister.

• (18) Where the organisation the subject of the request under subsection (17) prepares a new Irish language plan, it shall submit that plan to the Minister for approval within the period specified.

• (19) The Minister may, having regard to prescribed language planning criteria, approve the plan submitted to him or her under subsection (18) and the Minister shall, by notice in writing, inform the organisation concerned.

• (20) Where the Minister publishes a notice under subsection (16)(b), subsections (3) to (13) shall apply to the selection of an organisation and the approval of a new Irish language plan, subject to the following modifications:

  • (a) each reference to ‘subsection (2)’ shall be construed as a reference to ‘subsection (16)(b)’;

  • (b) the reference in subsection (11) to ‘the Minister shall make an order under subsection (1) in relation to the town concerned’ shall be construed as a reference to ‘the Minister shall by notice in writing inform the organisation concerned’.”,

• (d) in section 10—

• (i) by the substitution, in subsection (1), of “subsection (11) or (19) of section 9” for “section 9(11)”, and

• (ii) by the substitution, in subsection (3), of “approved under subsection (11) or (19) of section 9” for “approved of under section 9(11)”,

and

• (e) in section 11—

• (i) by the insertion of the following subsections after subsection (4):

• “(4A) An Irish language plan approved before or after the date of the coming into operation of section 14(e)(i) of the Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Act 2026 shall remain in force for a period of 7 years from the date on which the Minister approves the plan and the Minister may extend the duration of the plan to a period of not more than 9 years, following a request from Foras na Gaeilge.

• (4B) At any time before, or within the period of 12 months after, the expiry of the period for which an Irish language plan remains in force pursuant to subsection (4A), the Minister may—

  • (a) exercise his or her power under subsection (4C) to direct Foras na Gaeilge to request a new Irish language plan from the organisation that prepared the previous plan approved under subsection (4), or

  • (b) direct Foras na Gaeilge to select a new organisation to prepare an Irish language plan in respect of the Irish Language Network, within such period as may be specified by the Minister.

• (4C) Where following a review under subsection (5), the Minister considers that the Irish language plan prepared by an organisation referred to in subsection (4B)(a) has been effective in encouraging the use of the Irish language in accordance with prescribed language planning criteria, the Minister may direct Foras na Gaeilge to request that organisation to prepare a new Irish language plan in respect of the Irish Language Network, within such period as may be specified by the Minister.

• (4D) Where the organisation the subject of the request under subsection (4C) prepares a new Irish language plan, it shall submit that plan to the Minister for approval within the period specified.

• (4E) The Minister may, having regard to prescribed language planning criteria, approve the plan submitted to him or her under subsection (4D) and the Minister shall, by notice in writing, inform the organisation concerned.

• (4F) Where the Minister gives a direction under subsection (4B)(b), subsections (3) and (4) shall apply to the selection of an organisation and the approval of a new Irish language plan, subject to the modification that the reference in subsection (4) to ‘the Minister shall make an order under subsection (1)’ shall be construed as a reference to ‘the Minister shall by notice in writing inform the organisation’.”,

and

• (ii) by the substitution, in subsection (5), of “subsection (4) or (4E)” for “subsection (4)”.

15. Amendment of Data Protection Act 2018

15. The Data Protection Act 2018 is amended—

• (a) in section 39(3)—

• (i) by the substitution, in paragraph (b), of “the European Parliament, a local authority or a member elected to Údarás na Gaeltachta, or” for “the European Parliament or a local authority, or”, and

• (ii) by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph (c):

• “(c) a candidate for election to the office of President of Ireland or Mayor of Limerick, to the European Parliament, a local authority or Údarás na Gaeltachta or for membership of either House of the Oireachtas.”,

and

• (b) in section 40(5)—

• (i) by the substitution, in paragraph (c), of “local authority,” for “local authority.”, and

• (ii) by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (c):

• “(d) a member elected to Údarás na Gaeltachta.”.

16. Amendment of Local Government Act 2001

16. Section 192 of the Local Government Act 2001 is amended by the substitution of “Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht” for “Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs” in each place where it occurs.