Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I accept the subject matter is sexual conduct. I refer to how LGBT rights have been treated in our media and in the media of our neighbouring country. Due sensitivity to the convictions or feelings of the audience is one thing but what has happened is that the convictions of persons who do not really recognise the rights of transgender people have been given an equal footing with the feelings and sensitivities of persons who are transgender. That is why I do not think convictions in this space should be given the same weight as the feelings and sensitivities of a person.

I will withdraw the amendment and engage further with the Minister on this issue. However, I ask the Minister to consider that particular fact because sexual conduct can be encompassed in that. There are many bad examples whereby a person's desire or feeling that somebody else's identity is invalid is given a similar weighting to the feelings and genuine vulnerabilities of a person whose identity that is. I am going to withdraw the amendment but I urge the Minister to think about that matter.

I did not want to go into specific examples. I do not like to have conversations that are around inflammatory topics but this is an example of a concern I have. I am proud that Ireland has good gender recognition legislation. Ireland has had a constructive and positive public debate on it but I sadly look to our nearby neighbour and the way that broadcasting has been framed in that regard, and that is the example I had in mind. I will withdraw the amendment and reserve the right to come back to the issue.