Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)

It has been suggested that this motion is not called for and that other, more important issues should be raised. To that, I tell Deputies to look around them. This is a big Chamber with over 170 Deputies. The spectrum of issues we all raise is massive. I have spent my time in this Dáil raising various issues that affect this country. I would never suggest that one of these issues is more important than another because any one of those issues is the biggest issue someone in this country is facing today. It was referenced that our party has somehow turned its back on the people we represent. What a stupid comment. Every single one of my colleagues sitting around me and our councillors in local authorities know exactly the issues facing people across this country. Trans healthcare is an issue. The difference between our party and theirs is that we are not afraid to stand up to support marginalised trans people. They are, because bigotry outweighs genuine concerns. I do not have to put on a political caricature to pretend I understand the issues that people across this country face. Some do. In fact, the shared issues across healthcare are apparent in the motion before us. Trans people are facing severe delays and regional inequalities just like many cisgender people across the country trying to access healthcare. Trans healthcare in Ireland is not up to standard and it is vital that these issues are raised in this House. This House is representative of the people of Ireland, and trans people in Ireland are just as entitled to have their public services and the lack thereof raised in this Parliament. The Labour Party will never apologise for standing up for the most marginalised in our society. I urge our colleagues across this House to support the motion.

See this speech in context