The basic principles regarding language rights are set out under the Irish Constitution. These rights were further enshrined in legislation with the Official Languages Act (2003), which aims to ensure that high quality services are widely available to the public through Irish. The Act aims to create a space for the Irish language in public affairs in Ireland. The public has the right to expect to communicate with and receive information from the agents of the state through the Irish language. There is also an apparatus set up under the Act to allow for complaints, procedures and advice known as An Coimisinéir Teanga. Section 32 of the Act provides that the Minister for Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht issues placenames orders declaring the Irish versions of placenames. The state agency supporting the development of the Irish language is Údarás na Gaeltachta and operates under the Údarás na Gaeltachta Acts (1979-2010). Language policy also overlaps other policy areas. For example, the Broadcasting Act (2003)allows for the funding of certain cultural and heritage programming including Irish language programming.
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