Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I find myself in the position where, if forced to, I would support the Bill because there are people sitting here who have waited 20 or more years. This little country of ours inflicted so much pain and suffering on children. Down through the generations we turned a blind eye to everything that went on in this country. Today we have a chance to lead the world in the area of gender recognition.

The Minister of State indicated, and I believe him, that he will look as hard as he can and as favourably as he can on all of the amendments. I do not think what Senator van Turnhout asked for is out of this world. Her proposal is quite conservative when it boils down to it.

This Bill has to pass. Even if it is the flawed version, it has to pass because people have waited 25 years or more for it to pass. If we pass the flawed version and spend years banging through amendment after amendment, what will those children, who will then be 50 years old, say about us? What will they say about our empathy for their situation? What will they say about our understanding of our fellow humans? We have a rare chance to lead the world, to provide legislation that will recognise the needs of our fellow human beings. I ask the Minister of State to take what I have said on board.