Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)

The important part we should look at is this debate is about people, first, second and third. It is not about anything else. A decade on from the passing of the Gender Recognition Act, we have a lot of road to keep going as a country. As a member of the LGBTIQ+ community, I respect everybody. Deputy O'Donoghue is right that fear is driving some of the narrative. That fear is caused by some and they have to reflect on their articulation of points.

I welcome the members in the Public Gallery and thank them for being here and for their battle in terms of trans healthcare. It is a battle they should not have to engage in. That is something we need to reflect on as a country and as a society because, as the motion before us from the Labour Party reflects, this is about stories.

The sad part is some of the comments this morning will get into the paper but the real story is about the stories of the people in the Gallery here today and their quest for healthcare. I make the point to all of us, as Members of the Oireachtas, irrespective of ideology or viewpoint, to reflect on what we articulate, how we articulate it, what we say and when we say it. I get emotional when I hear some of the inflammatory language being used. Nobody wakes up today and suddenly flicks a switch from a man to a woman or a woman to a man. It does not happen. If we are to have a debate in this House, let us do so in a manner that is honest in terms of engagement on the issue of transgender healthcare.

I pay tribute to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, and also to the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, for her own lived experience and the way she has ensured that we can have at the heart of the Government a movement toward that piece that has been missing since the Gender Recognition Act. Members of the transgender community deserve comprehensive, respectful and integrated care and the support they need to live their lives authentically so that they can flourish. When we talk about the percentage of people or the numbers and volumes, it is actually quite small. Both the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, and the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, have openly acknowledged that the current public service in Ireland does not fully meet the needs of people seeking gender-affirming healthcare. I am glad that the Government is not opposing the Labour Party Private Members' motion today. I thank members of the Labour Party for bringing this forward.

There is a key phrase that we should focus on: gender-affirming healthcare. What Deputy Tóibín is saying is not new at all. I respect Deputy O'Donoghue. I know him to be a decent, honourable man. Let us listen to the stories as we pursue a willingness to listen to the experiences and the huge gaps in the services. Let us think about the gaps in those services. It is affecting people - an duine. People are being judged, harassed, beaten, chased, mocked, jeered and condemned by a Republic that is meant to treat all of our children equally. Leaders of Parliaments, by their words and actions, bring people. That is why this debate is important for me. We must, as a society, bring about meaningful improvements for every person who wants gender-affirming healthcare.

Deputy O'Donoghue mentioned friends of his who are transgender. They are not ogres, demons or predators. We should not have to say that. We should not have to qualify that. They are decent people. They are professionals and ordinary people trying to live their life as best they can, making a valuable contribution. I ask Members to walk in their shoes for a couple of days and see the reality of life. They are coming into your office to talk to you. They are friends of yours and they are struggling with mental health and to gain basic healthcare. For me, working with like-minded people, that diverse experience will bring about change. It will also bring about awareness.

The Deputy mentioned education. He is right. It is not education; it is raising awareness and that new clinical programme for gender healthcare. That programme must be about best practice from around the world, recognising that there has been an increase in the demand for transgender healthcare services but also reflecting a growing societal understanding of a gender diversity commitment to supporting people at every stage of their journey. That is why both the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, and the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, are steadfast in their belief that the new clinical programme will be instrumental in establishing a fair, balanced and effective system for gender-affirming healthcare in Ireland. We cannot ignore the inclusion of people with a real lived and living experience. Their viewpoint, informed by the direct personal involvement with the healthcare system is not just invaluable in shaping a model of care that is responsive, it is critical. Yes, there will be people with different viewpoints but collaboration is needed.

The process, in terms of what we are looking for, is about active engagement with healthcare professionals, advocacy organisations and other relevant stakeholders. What does it do? It brings us to a model of care that reflects the full spectrum of needs and perspectives, paving a way for a system that is both truly inclusive, effective and delivers for people who need it. Transparency is also a key principle that will underpin the programme's development. I did not hear all of the debate but I am acutely aware that information and support among gender-questioning young people and their families is one that we need to do more on. The unique challenges, navigating the complex social, emotional and medical issues in a world that is sometimes cold, where understanding and acceptance is very limited is difficult. The broader model of care must be refined to recognise the urgency of the situation. I hope the HSE will continue that.

I ask all Members to have continued collaboration based on evidence, the stories of people, their lived experience, but above all, the focus on inclusion and respect, that we can and should make a substantial and positive difference in the lives of people, particularly those we serve. The clarion call from this debate is that together, let us move forward towards a future where every member of the transgender and gender-diverse community can access the care, support and recognition they deserve, at the very least they need to continue to live their best lives. We owe them that, as members and citizens of a Republic.

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