Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise a very sensitive subject. I expect many parents and teenagers are concerned about it and they probably do not know where to go after the ruling in the UK against the Tavistock Clinic on gender identity. A landmark judgment was made in a court in the UK against a children's identity clinic, the Tavistock Clinic, for prescribing puberty blockers to a child under the age of 16. She is now 23 years of age and is detransitioning back to a female. The court ruled that it was doubtful that those under the age of 16 could understand the long-term, consequential effects of the treatment, and it was unlikely that they could give informed consent.

In February, Irish doctors raised concerns about gender identity services at Crumlin hospital in Dublin. The service is provided by flying in two clinicians from the clinic. I also note that nearly 80 children under the age of 16 have travelled to the UK in the past three years to undergo gender identity transitioning. I would like to have a debate in this House and for the Minister to come in and tell us what he is going to do about this.It is a very serious case. There are many children out there this morning who could be taking puberty blockers at this time, and parents could be facilitating that, so we need direction from the Minister on this issue.