Functions of An Coimisinéir Teanga
The duties of An Coimisinéir Teanga as specified in sections 20 - 30 of the Official Languages Act 2003 are as follows:
- To monitor compliance by public bodies with the provisions of the Official Languages Act and to take all necessary measures to ensure compliance by public bodies with their duties under the Act.
- To conduct investigations on his or her own initiative, on request from the Minister for Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht or pursuant to a complaint made to him or her by any person in cases where public bodies are considered to have failed to fulfil their duties under the Official Languages Act. An Coimisinéir Teanga also has the right to investigate any valid complaint in which it is alleged that the provisions of any other enactments relating to the status or use of Irish have been contravened.
- To prepare a report in writing in respect of each investigation.
- To provide advice to the public regarding their language rights under the Official Languages Act.
- To provide advice to public bodies regarding their language duties under the Act.
- To provide an annual report on the work of the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga to the Minister for Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht to be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
- To submit annual financial accounts by the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga to the Comptroller and Auditor General and to provide these accounts to the Minister for Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht to be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.