Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 17 June 2015

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection

Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Committee Stage

1:00 pm

Photo of Joan CollinsJoan Collins (Dublin South Central, United Left) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the progress we have made on the Bill. The civil organisations involved in this area are delighted that we might be introducing one of the most progressive laws in this area internationally. However, it is wrong that the Bill does not give 16 and 17 year olds the same recognition as 18 year olds. We have an opportunity to reconsider whether we should close this gap. It is ironic that 16 and 17 year olds are not able to make these decisions, given that the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has just launched a strategy to give children and young people a voice in decisions that affect their lives. That is a welcome strategy, but why are we not listening to children in this debate? The Minister of State, Deputy Kevin Humphreys, has been in contact with stakeholder organisations, but he has not been in direct contact with those aged under 18 years.

The 16 to 18 year olds should be the same as 18 year olds regarding self-declaration. Further down the line, I will urge the Government to consider interim gender recognition for those aged under 16. If we brought them in, we would have possibly the best legislation in the world, to which other countries would aspire.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.