Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)

I formally second the motion. We all would have hoped that ten years on from the Gender Recognition Act, we would be a lot further along in ensuring that trans people can get the care they need and deserve but progress has stalled when it comes to truly vindicating trans people's right to be themselves. In a country that has proudly made such strides forward in so many ways, it is utterly shameful that we are ranked the worst in Europe in terms of trans healthcare. The national gender service, as Deputy Sherlock and others have said, is not fit for purpose. I have heard from trans people that its approach is invasive, demeaning, insensitive and ultimately leaves them feeling they have to prove who they are and justify their existence. An article in The Journal earlier this year featured interviews with trans people who felt traumatised by their experience with the national gender service. Is that the kind of healthcare we want to deliver to anyone in Ireland? Do we want to be the kind of society that leaves people who are in need of care traumatised? This motion calls for an informed-consent model. This is the way forward. Such a model includes trans people, does not presume that their identity is something that must be interrogated and supports them in transitioning to who they really are.

We need to situate this in the broader context of how discourse around gender issues and trans rights has developed in the last number of years. We are in a very concerning place. Hate directed towards members of the LGBTQ+ community is on the rise. The level of vitriol towards trans people is particularly vicious, enabled and encouraged by influential and powerful figures globally. Certain Members of this House also have a lot to answer for as they seek to engage in imported culture wars.

See this speech in context