Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

While there is no specific number of LGBTQIA community members in this State, the Oireachtas research team estimates that there could be up to 500,000 people in the community in the State. Many of them were probably heartened to hear that the position of a special envoy for their freedom of expression was a priority for the Government and were disappointed when it fell through. Last night we were talking about Afghanistan and about the impact of the Taliban taking over, especially on women and girls but also on the LGBTQIA community. Many of those people have gone into hiding and are fearing for their lives. The position of a special envoy, not alone in Ireland or Afghanistan but globally, is one that is worth filling.

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