Paul Bradford (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. As I was unfortunately absent for the commencement of the debate last week and did not expect to have an opportunity to speak on Second Stage my words may be ill-prepared and not fully thought out. I hope we will have an opportunity to engage more fully on Committee Stage.

I welcome the legislation and thank the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, for bringing it forward. I read some of her initial remarks and know that she has crusaded strongly and at some length for this and I welcome her intervention in it. The issues some previous speakers mentioned have been the subject of some of the queries brought to my attention, and I am sure to the attention of all Members of the House, by people throughout the country.

Mine is more a Committee Stage than a Second Stage presentation. The Minister of State has heard the arguments about medicalisation of identity and the pathway for 16 and 17 year olds. I will be interested in his initial response to that. This being the House where Ministers are generally open to persuasion and arguments are not made in a nakedly politically partisan fashion but more holistically, and because this is a Seanad Bill, I hope the Minister of State and his officials will consider it with a view to improving it, not as something to be rubber-stamped here. Amendments will be tabled and there will be a detailed Committee Stage debate and I ask that the Minister of State keep an open mind on the arguments we will make more fully on that Stage.

When I was a Member of the other House, and ran regular clinics, constituents brought all sorts of difficulties and problems to my attention, some capable of resolution, some not. Sometimes people sneer at the fact that Irish people are in such regular contact with their politicians and question the value of the clinics but over the years a sizeable minority of people came to discuss this issue with me. I will not name the towns where these clinics were held because I do not want people to be identified. Several transgender people came to me between ten and 20 years ago. They were in a hopeless position and I felt helpless. The law was so black and white then that it was almost impossible to bring about change. Even the language was difficult. It is great to be in position where hopefully we can not only respond to but also resolve difficulties.

We have to ensure that the legislation, which should be deemed historic, has a broad vision and is of use to the transgender community. I support the Bill but there are issues we must take up on Committee Stage. I am just beginning to address the concerns brought to my attention by people in my area and others who have doubts and serious concerns about aspects of the legislation. As a starting point and stepping stone it is very positive. It is realistic and humane. I hate to use the word progressive because it has become the prisoner of all sorts of causes but it is a positive step in the right direction. I look forward to greater engagement on Committee Stage.