Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the initiative that Senator Power has taken with this Bill, which is fully endorsed by the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party. Under the law as it stands, a school can claim that hiring a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender teacher could undermine its religious ethos. In 1993, the then Fianna Fáil Minister for Justice, Máire Geoghegan Quinn, decriminalised homosexuality. It is important to remind Members that Fianna Fáil is a party that stands for justice and equality. Two years ago this House passed the Civil Partnership Act, which transformed the position of gay and lesbian people in Irish society. No longer are they the butt of jokes.

However, transgender individuals continue to suffer discrimination. They are the outcasts of society and they continue to be mocked. They were not born 100% physically male or female and over their lifetime they have had to come to terms with the fact that their sexuality is no longer what it was at birth. My sister worked as a midwife in the Coombe hospital in the 1980s. She once delivered a baby whose gender was not clear. That baby was sent home to the west of Ireland without any advice to the parents from the hospital. I have often wondered what happened to that child.

Fianna Fáil will be taking up the issue of rights for transgender people over the coming months. Ireland wholeheartedly welcomed gay and lesbian people and we have put the issue of homophobia behind us. Over my years as a politician, this society has become less conservative and judgmental. The biggest changes occurred when families found out they had gay or lesbian relatives. It was the same with unmarried mothers, who were discriminated against. In the 1950s and 1960s it was nearly taboo to look at an unmarried mother. We have made significant progress and this is another step in the direction of creating a just society. We have had a very interesting discussion today and the opinions expressed show the fascinating depth of knowledge in the Seanad. If I dare pick out one person, I compliment Senator Hayden. It is always a pleasure to listen to her.