Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 23 October 2013

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection

General Scheme of Gender Recognition Bill 2013: Discussion

1:00 pm

Photo of Joanna TuffyJoanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I draw witnesses' attention to the fact that, by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I advise witnesses that the opening statements they have submitted to the committee will be published on the committee website following this meeting. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

The matter we are discussing today is the general scheme of the Gender Recognition Bill 2013. The general scheme was published last July by the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, following Cabinet approval. It was referred to the committee for its consideration. In order to assist the committee in considering the proposed legislation, members sought the views of interested individuals and organisations. Ten written submissions were received. To enable the committee to develop its understanding of the key issues identified in the process, it decided to hear evidence from key individuals and groups on the matter. We could not invite everybody, but invited organisations and individuals with long-standing expertise in the area. In the first of the hearings, which is today, we will hear from the Department of Social Protection, Transgender Equality Network Ireland, TransParenCI, BeLong To, LGBT Noise and Professor Donal O'Shea.

Tomorrow we will have a similar arrangement. We will have six witnesses and the meeting will start at 10 a.m. We will not be able to do all our business today and will have to continue it tomorrow. We must be fair to the witnesses who appear tomorrow. I aim to finish the meeting at 3.30 p.m. because the room is booked only until then. I ask everyone to keep to the time limits. At 2 p.m. Senators may have to leave because the Taoiseach is addressing the Seanad today. Over the two hearings, however, we will hear from the Senators. I invite Ms Simonetta Ryan to contribute on behalf of the Department of Social Protection.

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