Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)

Like others, I thank the Ministers of State for being here for this very important debate and discussion. The Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, will forgive me if I single out the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, who has been a champion of the LGBT community, particularly now on trans healthcare. I am very proud to count her as a friend. On this issue in particular, she has spoken out and taken on some of the voices in these Houses who preach prejudice, and about whom colleagues have spoken. It is very important that her voice continues to be heard.

I also want to pay tribute to the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, who spoke earlier of his instrumental role in establishing the equality caucus here in Leinster House and about working with the staff equality team. We are very fortunate that within politics now, in all parties and none, there are many role models and within political parties there are LGBT groups and supportive mechanisms in place to encourage people of all backgrounds to become involved. Having those role models is critically important. That is also important in many other aspects of society too. As we move towards the all-Ireland finals, I commend Mark Shields, an all-Ireland winner for Armagh, on coming out recently. Mr. Shields spoke very bravely about some of his personal challenges. In sport, it is often a lot harder to come out. In camogie and ladies Gaelic football there are many role models but there are not too many yet in the GAA. For individuals to come out and be those role models is particularly important.

I want to raise an issue in my constituency concerning the town of Arklow. Arklow was extraordinarily progressive in painting the first rainbow crossing anywhere in this country, yet Wicklow County Council has made the decision to allow the rainbow crossing to fade. It says the Department of Transport does not provide or allow for rainbow crossings. I have asked a parliamentary question specifically on this. The Department of Transport has said it is a matter for each local authority. I ask that the Department of Transport be more proactive than saying this is a matter for each local authority. It would be an awful pity if the crossing in Arklow, the first town in the country that had a rainbow crossing in place, were allowed to fade. I know from many in the area that it is a matter of serious concern.

I am also very proud of the role Ireland is playing at a global level in promoting LGBTQI+ rights. While not everything is perfect in this country, we have come a long way. We have further to go. Unfortunately, our gay brothers and sisters in many other parts of the world do not enjoy the same freedoms and rights we enjoy here. I am very proud that during World Pride the Irish Embassy in Washington DC hosted a reception and made very clear that Ireland's support for issues around LGBTQI+ rights were to the fore. We must do so at every international forum and that includes the European Union where we must continue to call out Victor Orbán’s disgraceful behaviour towards minorities generally but in particular, as Deputy Ward said, towards the LGBT+ community. Many Irish politicians, including Deputy O’Gorman, travelled to Budapest Pride this year. Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP was also there. Being able to show that solidarity is critical and the fact that Ireland continues to raise this issue at European Union level, UN level and in some of our overseas development work makes me really proud.

We need to remember that when the decriminalisation of homosexuality was brought forward 30 years ago, which is a relatively short time, by the then justice Minister, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, some of the language used in this House during those debates was pretty horrific. However, we can look at what is still happening around the world. In over 60 countries, homosexuality is still a criminal offence and in a number of countries people can face the death penalty for being gay or even suspected of being gay. These include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Yemen, Brunei, Nigeria and Mauritania. The death penalty is a horrific concept in any event but it is appalling that someone might face the death penalty simply because there is a perception that that person is gay.

I commend the Ministers of State on their work in this area and urge them to continue at a global level to preach the good news.

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