Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Excuse me, that is what I am discussing. My apologies. I support the amendment for an interim gender recognition certificate. I am struck by the knowledge and awareness of young children about their need to live in their preferred gender. I do not know how these children survive in society and in school without any recognition they are transitioning or have transitioned. The amendment is a positive measure. On Second Stage I put on the record my experience of transgender teenagers. We are also speaking about much younger children, as Senator van Turnhout listed. My experience from when we did the early school leaving study was this group is at risk of leaving school early, but the issue is much deeper than this as the group is also at risk of suicidal thoughts.

This is a really good amendment. It is helpful and acknowledges the children's need. It recognises their identity and at least it would help them along on their journey. The first line of the amendment states the parent or guardian of a child to whom this section applies may on behalf of that child apply to the Minister, so the parent would be with them. It is important that we listen to the young people. To have to live 16 years and not have one's true gender recognised is incredible. It must be torture. Those of us who have never experienced it must listen. A very good middle ground has been proposed in the amendment and I am happy to support it.