Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have acknowledged the contributions made by Deputies. I also acknowledge the Tánaiste's work on the Bill.

As the committee is aware, the Bill, as it stands, requires an applicant for a gender recognition certificate to provide supporting statements from an endocrinologist or a psychiatrist and have already transitioned to his or her preferred gender. The amendment will remove the requirement for a supporting statement from a medical practitioner. We have listened carefully to the views of individual citizens, representative groups and public representatives as the Bill has progressed. In moving to a self-declaration model we are ensuring the legislation is in line with international best practice and the approach advocated by the Council of Europe and others. This change will have no impact on the treatment pathway for transgender people, which remains completely separate from the civil registration process. The amendment provides for self-declaration by an individual aged 18 years or older who applies for a gender recognition certificate and removes the requirement for a supporting medical statement from a medical practitioner. The requirement is also removed from the advocacy process. I am confident that these amendments, with consequential technical amendments, will be welcomed by members as a major improvement.

On the requirement for a medical statement for persons aged 16 or 17 years, section 12 deals with applications to the court for an exemption to allow such individuals to apply for a gender recognition certification. This provision has not changed. The principle of self-declaration of gender was advocated for by TENI and many others.