Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Minister's reasoning and, therefore, I will not press the amendments at this point. Even so, and perhaps this will be picked up in the Dáil, it is important there be a clear timeline in that regard. Having brought forward proposals on this a number of years ago, we need to have a clear timeline for this and I welcome the fact the Minister will engage with the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, in that regard. Perhaps by the time this Bill enters its final Stages in the autumn, we will, I hope, see legislation in respect of conversion therapy on the legislative agenda of the Oireachtas, which would be useful and good.

I welcome also the fact the Minister has acknowledged there will be specific provisions in respect of her Department. While we might ban the practice in this State, it is important, given there may be other parts of the EU in which the practice becomes available and is promoted, that we also ban its advertisement in order that persons will not be forced to travel in respect of conversion therapy and that is where the online space and advertising will be important. I thank the Minister for indicating she will press for such measures to be included in any such legislation.