Lorraine Clifford Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

These Parts provide for parentage through donor-assisted human reproduction. The issue of the recognition of parentage for same-sex couples and their children needs to be dealt with. The failure to commence these Parts diminishes the Minister's contribution this evening.

The mental health difficulties faced by young people from the LGBTI community are serious. I deal with people through my office every day who cannot get appointments in CAMHS which is completely under-resourced. Many of the children trying to access mental health services come from the LGBTI community. We are failing them. While the stigma felt by these children that would have been there 25 years ago is gone, there are still real difficulties. Many LGBTI children have difficulties facing their identity, as well as having difficulties in their families and communities in this regard. I would like the Government to make some progress on this and give real effect to the Minister's speech. If we do not support these children, we will be closing another dark chapter in 25 years' time.

We fully support the apologies to the 2,500 people who were convicted several years ago. Despite whatever difficulties there are, we should right those wrongs which were perpetrated against a large section of our society.