Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Absolutely. The substance and depth of both contributions exceeded anything I can bring to this debate. I kept thinking that it must be unimaginable for someone to become aware of being born in the wrong body. I commend the Government on this initiative, which we support. I also support much of what Senator Cullinane said. The Bill is inherently flawed in several areas. It is very important that the Minister of State take account of the Committee Stage debate, apart from the thrust of the contributions here which considered the Bill in its totality. We need to get it right in the interests of those lobbying for it, towards whom it is directed.

Various issues have been raised. It seems to me unacceptable that one would have to divorce in order to benefit from this legislation. The question of age is problematic. The debate at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection reflected the complexities of that aspect of the Bill and the Minister of State’s wisdom on this would be appreciated. I fully agree with the comments by Senators Moloney and Keane about e-mails. I saw those e-mails. There were not too many but the one referred to was particularly unchristian and inhumane and I am glad Senator Moloney read it into the Official Report. If that reflects any element of our society we have a much bigger challenge ahead of us than I thought. However, I believe the overwhelming majority of the people of Ireland understand the motives behind this Bill and why it is necessary to introduce it. Ultimately, we need to get it right and I hope the Minister of State will take cognisance of the specific points raised highlighting inherent flaws in certain sections of the Bill and that he will respond accordingly.