Annie Hoey (Labour) | Oireachtas source

As an out political woman - although I prefer the term activist - it is great to be able to respond to an out leading light of the LGBT community. Often when we hear news from the United States, it can be depressing. Sometimes we are watching one of the world's largest democracies fade away. That is why it is important that we hear from governors such as Governor Healey who is not afraid to speak out or to challenge the federal government on things we should not even be contesting in the first place. As attorney general she took action to protect abortion provision and services in the state of Massachusetts and as governor she ensured a stockpile of Mifepristone under threat of it being banned.

Not so long ago in Ireland, women like me and others were either illegally buying abortion pills for people or helping women to access abortion pills. It was only six years ago that I and others were helping women in that situation because they could not get them. We had a system that was designed to punish and shame marginalised women. Unfortunately, we had a situation where our policies sometimes threatened the lives of patients. We have seen certain politicians raise similar concerns about the number of abortions in Ireland. Others in the Labour Party and I firmly believe in a woman's right to choose safe, legal and accessible abortion. We still have many steps to take to fulfil that goal to the fullest sense.

As a long-time advocate and activist, I know that voices such as Governor Healey's are vital in the political sphere, especially as we are seeing the rise of the far-right globally. We have to look at the US, unfortunately, somewhat as a canary in a coalmine because we see the same language surrounding the LGBTQ+ community, particularly the trans community, rise here as it has done in the US. It is important that we have people like the governor who has been vocal about her support for the trans community and trans women in particular, who have been victims of increasing scapegoat politics. Some sad politicians use them as targets to distract from their own failings. In response to a question about the threat of undermining civil liberties, the governor said that she would double down on freedom. We need to consider that from both an Irish and a European perspective.

Several EU governments are currently tackling the civil liberties of EU citizens. In Hungary, there is a new Russian-style anti-LGBT propaganda law. Ireland has taken a strong stance against that law. We joined a number of other countries in that but we need to do more. In 2022, Ireland ranked as the worst in the EU for trans healthcare. I spent some time last night in the ambassador's residence speaking with representatives of that community and listening to their experiences. One person said that a ten-year waiting list is not a healthcare system. It simply does not exist if people have to wait more than ten years to be able to access trans healthcare. I am sure the governor would agree that gender-affirming healthcare should be covered and supported by the State. We have to build the kind of world where our trans family can live their truth in peace, safe in the knowledge that their country will protect and care for them.

Clemency is an issue that is important to the governor. She pardoned seven people in her first six months in office. It is on the way but we still have to pardon the gay and bisexual men who were criminalised by the State only 30 years ago simply for loving who they loved. We are still on a journey towards that.

From one member of the LGBTQ+ community to another, I wish the governor continued success in all she does. It is brilliant to see a powerful activist representative, not only for our community, but also for other marginalised groups.