Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies who contributed. I am making these closing remarks on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, who has other commitments this evening. I take on board the points raised by the Deputies.

There were many similar themes relating to the ongoing, unfortunate challenges in terms of discrimination, especially those affecting the trans community, including recent debates hosted by the national broadcaster. I accept the points raised by a number of Deputies in regard to education, mental health provision and other services. The Minister is working to address many of those issues as part of an across-Government approach. I acknowledge the points raised by Deputy Andrews regarding the legacy of people like Senator Norris, Dr. Noel Browne and other pioneers who advocated for LGBTI+ people long before these issues became more mainstream in recent years.

It is appropriate that we reflect on LGBTI+ issues this week, with Pride celebrations in full swing. It is also worth pausing to remember what the Pride flag symbolises and why Pride celebrations are important to promote the self-affirmation, dignity, equality and increased visibility of everybody in the LGBTI+ community in Ireland and throughout the world. As speakers have noted, Pride is also a protest. It points out that we still have much more to do.

The Minister mentioned the work being progressed on the hate crime legislation and the work being undertaken by the Garda, which will ensure members of minority and vulnerable groups feel safe and supported in Ireland as they go about their daily lives. In addition, the Minister for Justice is bringing forward a strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The strategy will be the most ambitious plan to date in this area and will be structured around the four pillars or goals of the Istanbul Convention, namely, prevention, protection, prosecution and co-ordinated policies. It will set an overall goal of zero tolerance in our society of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. It will be gender neutral. The strategy recognises and acknowledges the need to provide support for all victims and survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. It recognises the need to reflect the experiences of victim-survivors and acknowledges the additional risk factors created by overlapping forms of discrimination.

The legislative basis for the promotion of the equality of LGBTI+ people is the Equality Acts, that is, the Equal Status Acts and the Employment Equality Acts. The existing legislation prohibits discrimination in the workplace and in the provision of goods and services on grounds of sexual orientation. The programme for Government includes a commitment to examine the current protections for gender identity under that legislation. This commitment is being pursued as part of a review of the Equality Acts that is ongoing in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The review will examine the operation of the Acts and consider the current grounds and whether additional grounds are required. The review is scheduled to conclude at the end of this year, with legislative proposals to be advanced at that time.

It is appropriate that we take this opportunity to show our solidarity with LGBTI+ Ukrainians. Tomorrow marks four months since Russia invaded Ukraine, resulting in a humanitarian crisis that has disrupted family support networks and exposed LGBTI+ Ukrainians to anti-LGBTI+ hostility across Europe. This has necessitated additional specialised support when people reach Ireland. Earlier this month, the Government provided the first instalment of a €68,000 grant to LGBT Ireland to facilitate a co-ordinated response to meet the additional needs of Ukrainian refugees who are LGBTI+. The response includes providing relevant information, outreach and drop-in services, training, practical supports and LGBTI-friendly accommodation. At a broader level, the Government is reviewing supports for LGBTI+ international protection applicants. We recently commissioned LGBT Ireland to carry out an independent study to canvass the views and opinions of former and current residents of international protection centres and draw up benchmarks against international best practice.

It is an honour to conclude this discussion during Pride Month 2022. As the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, observed, the debate is taking place in the context of significant progress on the one hand, while obstacles and challenges remain on the other. We celebrate the advancements that have been made, while knowing we cannot take them for granted. LGBTI+ rights are essential human rights. The Government strongly advocates for their promotion and protection through its national strategies, strategic initiatives across the Government and at an international level.

I take this opportunity to thank Orla Egan of the Cork LGBT Archive, with whom I met earlier this week at Cork Public Museum. This really important work, which should be replicated across the country, involves archiving material associated with gay rights activism from the 1970s to the 1990s. Ms Egan pointed out to me that there is a perception that all the activity in this area was based in Dublin. In fact, other locations, particularly Cork, were important centres for this type of activism. She spoke about the Dublin-centric element of the discussion, pointing out that many of the firsts in Irish LGBT activism happened in Cork. These include the first national gay conference in 1981, the production of the first AIDS leaflet in 1985, the first National University of Ireland, NUI, college to recognise an LGBT society in 1989, the first Irish lesbian and gay film festival in 1991 and the first Irish LGBT float in a St. Patrick's Day parade in 1992. I thank her for the really beautiful publication that has been produced.

My colleague, Deputy Murnane O'Connor, mentioned the Carlow Pride Festival, which I attended with my family in 2019. It was amazing for a small town to host an event of that scale. I also acknowledge Ossory Youth's Open Door project in my home town of Kilkenny, which provides a safe space for young LGBTI+ people. We often talk about mental health issues. This is a really innovative programme and it is doing a fantastic job in supporting young people as they come out and express themselves.

This has been a fantastic debate. I thank all the Deputies who contributed. There is considerable work being done by the Government on these issues, as the Minister outlined, but what is needed is an across-society response. I hope everybody enjoys the Pride festivals that are taking place in Dublin and across the country this weekend. I conclude with these words: love is love.

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