Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will conclude as quickly as I can. The point I am trying to make to the Minister is that the drafters of the Bill have confused the notion of gender identity with the medical transition.

There is no need for both. I hate when I am thrown off my line of thought. I only have another four pages to go. I will meet with the Minister of State and I will outline these things.

On the medical side of things, we need to step back from this. Nobody takes the decision to change gender or to seek gender recognition lightly. We must try to make it as simple a process as possible. Why the hell we need a psychiatrist and an endocrinologist is beyond me. I ask the Minister of State to look at that part and maybe remove this requirement. I have much more to say and the Minister of State and I can discuss it over a cup of coffee. It is regrettable that I cannot say it with so many people here depending on their position being put forward by somebody who has difficulty himself in understanding the process. I am trying to do the best I can for the people who deserve this Bill, who want this Bill and who badly need it to pass. They need it to pass with a little more humanity and more understanding than is currently in it. I thank the Chair for his understanding.