Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will do so.

Could we have a debate at the earliest opportunity on the Government working group report on direct provision? It has been widely reported on in the newspapers. Senators and Deputies may be the last people to receive this 360-page report. My understanding is that it is going to Cabinet next Tuesday. Given the work we have done on a cross-party basis on direct provision - the working group was a culmination of the work we did - could we have a debate at the earliest opportunity on this report?

I wish to raise the issue of the Gender Recognition Bill, which is going through the Dáil at the moment. I remain concerned about the exclusion of children from the Bill. We had a good debate in the Seanad in February. We were told that we were on our own on that issue. However, when the Bill went to the Dáil, many Deputies joined in the call regarding the importance of ensuring that children are recognised. We were very quick in expressing our views on the marriage equality referendum, which I was glad to applaud but we cannot forget that the people of Ireland also voted for children's rights. The Supreme Court cleared its way for passage into the Constitution after two and a half years of legal wrangling.

This is our first opportunity to show that we understand what is meant by children's rights. This is one area of legislation in which we should ensure that we see children as rights holders. They should not have to wait until they are 18 to have their rights recognised in this regard. They are rights holders. I considered there was a clear compromise in having a interim gender recognition certificate. It is an issue I will continue to fight for. The Bill will come back to this House given the amendments that have been made as it goes through the Dáil. I put on the record that I will continue to fight for the children of Ireland and their families who are looking for this gender recognition certificate.