Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)

I thank the Labour Party for tabling this motion. I am happy to speak in support of it. I am glad the Minister is here giving her time to the debate. It is so important that we have this debate and do not shy away from addressing the issue of trans healthcare, particularly in these times of increasing hatred. Trans people are looking to politicians more than ever to see someone articulate their needs and rights. Regrettably, we know the discourse has absolutely been saturated by toxicity, lies, fallacies, misrepresentations and a focus on marginal arguments. Often, there is a focus on the circus antics of online clowns. This is all ably facilitated by social media companies. It is hard to think of another group in society right now who have been as maligned as trans people. That is a shame on all of us. When we step away from the rantings of that online mob, however, we immediately see how real people approach a minority who they see denied their basic care, that is, with empathy, respect and a desire to remove obstacles to happiness. Fundamentally, we need a reset in the debate, which centres the debate on those basics of human decency. Trans people are equal citizens in our Republic. They are our siblings, friends and neighbours. They do not receive a level of even basic medical care, medical care that is well established in other jurisdictions and provided there for the best interests of individuals.

The motion calls for a model that can work, is accessible and will allow trans adults, with best interest focus and clinical guidance, to make their own decisions about their future, knowing that whatever they choose, the State will support them, their clinicians will guide them and care options will be available to them here in this country. I can see no conflict or no moral wrong that can come from enabling a tiny minority to live freely.

I have recently heard a small but growing voice that says gay men and lesbians should oppose any focus on the rights of trans people and that supporting them supposedly puts our hard-won progress in jeopardy. I say an absolute "No" to that argument. I have no time for it and I think it is predicated on a view that an equal place must be earned. It also very conveniently forgets that much of the language being used against the trans community now is the exact same language that was used in the eighties and nineties against the gay community and which, unfortunately, is seeping into the discourse today.

I thank the Labour Party for bringing forward the motion enabling this important debate on trans healthcare. I look forward to supporting it in the vote tonight.

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