33. —(1) A word or words, declared by the Minister in a placenames order to be the Irish language version of a placename specified in the order, shall be construed in a legal document as referring to the same place and as having the same force and effect as the English language version of the placename so specified unless the contrary intention appears.

(2) Where the Minister makes a declaration under section 32 in respect of a placename in a Gaeltacht area, the English language version of the placename shall no longer have any force and effect as on and from the operative date but without prejudice to anything done before or after that date including the use of that version other than its use—

(a) in any Act of the Oireachtas passed after the operative date or any statutory instrument made after that date under any Act,

(b) in such maps prepared and published by or with the permission of Ordnance Survey Ireland as may be prescribed, or

(c) on a road or street sign erected by or on behalf of a local authority.

(3) In this section—

“legal document” means—

(a) any Act of the Oireachtas passed after the operative date, any statutory instrument made after that date under any Act or the official translation of any Act or instrument;

(b) any instrument having or intended to have legal effect or consequences and executed on or after the operative date;

(c) any document used in or for the purposes of legal proceedings, and made, issued or served on or after the operative date,

“the operative date” means the date on which the relevant place-names order comes into operation.