Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

So-called conversion therapy is a deeply secretive practice. From what I have heard conversion therapy solely works on the notion of shame and shaming the person who is gay, trans or whatever and builds on that shame. The reason people do not know about conversion therapy is because it is done in secret. I feel that it is important when drafting legislation that we have a clear basis to say that there are very real people, though not a huge number, for whom conversion therapy has had an immense negative impact on their lives. Whether this so-called therapy has a religious background or an alleged psychological background, there is deep and long-lasting damage done to people. I have sought to be consistent in terms of bringing forward evidence and legislation. I know that people would have liked to see this legislation move more quickly. I do not want anyone to be in any doubt about the fact that this legislation is a priority for me and this Government. We will legislate and pass legislation to ban conversion therapy in this country.