Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I join with colleagues in welcoming our guests and congratulate them on their positions. It is a question of how the body will reprioritise. On foot of Senator O'Donovan's question, a number of priorities were outlined, but I have in mind a number of more topical issues that we are currently addressing, for example, prostitution reform. The Constitutional Convention has debated marriage equality. Transgender rights present another issue. Submissions and advice were received on these matters previously. What mechanism does the new commission use or intend to use to contribute to the current debates? A document was published on transgender rights. Will it be updated? Will the commission be reactive or proactive as regards these issues? How will it decide what to prioritise?

I welcome Ms O'Farrell's comment on engaging with civil society. This is key, particularly in terms of education, where young people can be taught to understand issues and grow into adults with inclusive views of society, diversity and multiculturalism. They will accept as the norm the fact that we are not all the same. Education needs to be concentrated on, but it is dependent on resources. We must also work on that front.