Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

The Minister has been let off the hook. I am opposed to debating anyone's human rights. I am in favour of more discussion on gender identity issues. I am also in favour of asking hard questions like why, for example, the gender identity adolescent clinic at Crumlin hospital has not been operational for nearly 18 months. Why is there a waiting list of more than six years at the national gender service in Loughlinstown? Why is this service operating on an outdated model of care? Why is there no recognition for non-binary trans people? Why are there no public health service options for gender affirming surgery? Why, more than 20 years into the 21st century, do we still not have a GP-led and consent-based service for trans people in this Republic?

Clearly there is still much work to do to win LGBTQ liberation and I hope that the Pride events are well attended this month and that the trans Pride event on 16 July is a huge success.

See this speech in context