Katherine Zappone (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I respect where he is coming from, the concerns he has and the need for consultation. It seems the Minister of State does not believe that this is possible, and not only now. It has not happened to date and will not happen soon, even following the Dáil effort. I would have preferred if the Minister of State had at least agreed to talk to them, ask the questions, determine whether we have the necessary time and ask what sort of time would be required before this went through the Dáil. If the view was that it would take a long time, then so be it.

The Minister of State and the Tánaiste have led this. We need to get this through, and I am absolutely with the Minister of State on that. Now is the time, even if it is not perfect. I am with the Minister on that as well. It may have been better to offer or ask those involved what timescale they require. Perhaps the Minister of State needs more time than they do. I am unsure whether he indicated as much in his response. I would have preferred it if the Minister of State had requested that much. Anyway, it seems that is not possible, but out of respect to the trans community and the Irish College of General Practitioners, which decided to put its view on the line and offered to speak with the Minister of State in this regard, I will be pressing the amendment.