Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on what is another extraordinarily significant day for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, LGBT, community in our country. I assure Senator Boyhan that the Oireachtas is always serious in bringing about gargantuan change, as it was in 2015. It is important that we pay tribute to the Transgender Equality Network Ireland, TENI, and welcome its members who are in the Visitors Gallery. As Leader, I am very happy to facilitate the passage of this Bill and to have it debated this afternoon in the House. This affects people's quality of life. It sends a message and ensures the message is heard not just in the confines of Leinster House but across the Irish community and internationally. Last week, I had the pleasure of travelling through parts of the United States of America with Sam Blanckensee from TENI. The visibility and power of his message could not but resonate with members of different LGBT organisations who were in many ways looking to us for leadership. We have seen extraordinary leadership in TENI. I pay tribute to its former chief executive, Broden, who has gone to new pastures.

To put this debate in context one needs to picture a 14 year old boy wanting to attend an all boys secondary school, with parental support, and not being able to do so. That is happening today in our country and it cannot be allowed to continue. I am fond of quoting Maslow, we must allow people reach their full potential. We all know about the struggle with depression and mental health problems that affects the quality of life of people in the trans community, and this is not just research on paper. We need to lift that veil and become that voice. I know people in my party, such as Claire Farrell, who have brought a new lease of life and understanding through the personal testimony of the lived life. This Bill is personal and the change or review concerns life. It is not a theoretical Ph.D. study. It is the quality of life of many of the people in our gallery and people watching here this afternoon.

This morning Senator Norris,Senator Warfield and I met the Russian ambassador. One could not but be disheartened at his lack of understanding or appreciation, or perhaps he was playing the old KGB spy in just obfuscating and denying, but it was incredible to watch his performance. That is why people like the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Varadkar, can make change that can send a message internationally, as in 2015, that our country in many different ways is concerned with progress, international good practice and human rights. We can make a difference. We can change rights and bring in entitlements and ensure that all people can live to their full potential. Senator Warfield in his fine speech and Senator Norris in his remarks have touched on many issues that I will not go into. It is important to have an independent review, that we have a panel that reviews the Gender Recognition Act 2015 that includes members of TENI or the transgender community. That is an imperative. I will be asking the Minister to put in place people who come with lived experience and who can speak as a voice for the community.

That is why it is good that this debate is taking place in the Seanad because here there is not that quintessential critical adversarial tone that comes with a Bill like this. We have met people. I am struck that we do not necessarily have figures for the number of people we need to speak to but equally, last week, I was struck by the number of young trans people in the United States who were being forced to leave home with nowhere to go. I have asked myself is it the same here. How do we as a State and society look after, support and work with our trans community? The issue of self-determination for those younger than 16 has been spoken about. Just as early intervention is important in education, this Bill concerns the child identifying in their preferred gender at an early age and being able to live a full and wholesome life, which is important.

This is important legislation. Senator Humphreys was the Minister of State in the previous Government who drove it and did so in a spirit of co-operation with all of us. The TENI briefing document for this Bill should not be just put on a shelf to be admired but we should work to see if we can implement it in its totality. I was struck by the words of a mother at a conference in Waterford organised by Vanessa in TENI who spoke of the heartache and turmoil in their house prior to their daughter making a transition. When the family accepted and was willing to embrace that new life the house was transformed. I have spoken to members of TENI, friends of mine, people whom I have worked with for years and seen the powerful impact of the Gender Recognition Act 2015 on their stories, their lived experience. We saw it in the political parties and the previous Government. We need to see it with the bureaucrats, whether the Civil Service or the Health Service Executive, HSE, who can make a difference and move from denial, obfuscation or confusion to acceptance. I often use that word. There is a need for us to recognise that we have a journey to travel. We have made a huge transition. We have a powerful presence in the world because of our legislation. I hope that we can join with TENI and others in advocating the human rights of all citizens.

I thank the Minister for his willingness to co-operate in this Bill. I commend Senators Warfield and Norris on the Bill. It is an important day. I hope the House will not divide on this. We have started a job and, as Senator Butler said, we must put the roof on the house.