What the Constitution says
Article 8 of the Constitution says the Irish language, as the national language, is the first official language. English is recognised as the second official language. The article also allows the Oireachtas to pass a law making either language the only one for an official purpose, in the whole country or part of it.
That does not mean everything in the State runs in Irish. It means Irish has constitutional priority, and the Oireachtas has used its power to pass laws that spell out how the two languages are used by the State.The Irish Constitution explained.
Speaking Irish in the Dáil, the Seanad and committees
Members of both Houses may use Irish or English in debates and other proceedings in the Dáil and Seanad, and in any committee, sub-committee or joint committee. Anyone who appears before the Houses or a committee, such as a witness giving evidence, may conduct their business in either language.
A simultaneous interpretation system means that Irish speeches can be followed by members and viewers who do not speak Irish. It was introduced in the Dáil in 1972 and in the Seanad in 1990. The Oireachtas Translation Section, Rannóg an Aistriúcháin, also translates Acts and the Standing Orders of both Houses.
A member speaks in Irish
Members may use either official language in debates and committee proceedings.
Interpreters work live
Interpreters translate into English in real time, so colleagues and viewers without Irish can follow.
The record is published
The official report is published in both languages, and each speech is printed in the language it was given in.
The titles of the main offices are Irish words, such as Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Ceann Comhairle, and they are used in English-language debate too, so knowing them helps when you read the record.Irish political titles explained.
A short history
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 21 January 1919 | The First Dáil met, and its proceedings were conducted largely in Irish. A translator was appointed to the First Dáil that year. |
| 1922 | An official translation service was set up with the new State. |
| 1972 | Simultaneous interpretation was introduced in the Dáil. |
| 1990 | Simultaneous interpretation was introduced in the Seanad, partly because speeches in Irish got little press coverage without it. |
| 14 July 2006 | Acts of the Oireachtas had to be printed and published in both languages under section 7 of the Official Languages Act 2003. |
| 2013 | An Caighdeán Oifigiúil, the official standard for Irish spelling and grammar, was given statutory status. |
| 2018 | The Ceann Comhairle launched Straitéis na Gaeilge, a plan to make the Houses of the Oireachtas Service a bilingual organisation. |
The Official Languages Acts and the Commissioner
The Official Languages Act 2003 sets duties for public bodies about services in Irish. It also requires every Act of the Oireachtas to be published in both languages as soon as possible after enactment. Since 2011 an Act may go online in one language before both versions are printed.
The Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021, enacted on 22 December 2021, replaced the old system of individual language schemes with a set of language standards. It also aims for 20% of new recruits to the public sector to be proficient in Irish by 2030, and requires at least 20% of public bodies' advertising to be in Irish.
An Coimisinéir Teanga, the Irish Language Commissioner, investigates complaints and reports on how the law is working. The 2025 annual report, published in July 2026, recorded 580 complaints. It said key provisions of the 2021 Act had not been put into effect more than four years after it was enacted, and described a concerning pattern of missed deadlines.
Common misunderstandings
Common assumption: Irish speeches in the Dáil are not translated.
In fact: Simultaneous interpretation is available in both Houses and committee rooms, so members and viewers who do not speak Irish can follow.
Common assumption: Acts of the Oireachtas are only in English.
In fact: Since 14 July 2006 every Act must be published in both Irish and English.
Common assumption: A TD has to speak Irish.
In fact: No. Members choose which official language to use.
Sources
- Constitution of Ireland, Article 8 (Irish Statute Book)
- An Coimisinéir Teanga: Irish in the Oireachtas
- Dáil100: the Irish language in the Oireachtas
- Oireachtas: Irish in the Oireachtas (Rannóg an Aistriúcháin)
- Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 (Irish Statute Book)
- An Coimisinéir Teanga: legislation
- Irish Times: language commissioner highlights missed deadlines (17 July 2026)