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

I thank the Deputy. If it is the same case which I read about, when that gentleman discovered his situation he said he had no intention to trans because he saw himself as a man and as a male. I read the case with interest and how this whole area can become very complicated in the future. The purpose of this Bill is to address the need for provide a legal recognition for the position of transgender people and to cater also for intersex people who may wish to avail of the arrangement provided. The Bill is based on the principle set out in section 18. It will not provide for a third character alongside side male and female. I am aware that a small number of countries have made some changes to allow for the registration of a person of indeterminate gender. This is a very complicated area and any changes proposed in the amendment would need to be examined carefully and could have severe unintentional consequences that would also have to be considered throughout legislation. Just for one instance a third option, which is neither male nor female, could potentially accept the concept of guardianship children and several pieces of legislation would have to be considered carefully and examined. It would be unwise to accept what Deputy Ó Snodaigh said is a minor amendment, which could be quite radical when considered in terms of the legislation on the Statute Book. I do not propose to accept the amendment.