Sharon Keogan (Independent)

I rise to speak about a worrying development in our medical policymaking sector. Last week, the Professional Association for Trans Health Ireland, PATHI, welcomed the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, decision to advocate for adopting the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, WPATH, standards of care, an organisation criticised for its ideological, unscientific approach and activist-heavy leadership. The motion reportedly passed with 97% support. While I am sceptical of such conformity in any vote, it is sadly common in our nation. Of course, people will vote with near unanimity when they have only been exposed to one side of the argument and told that the opposing side is morally reprehensive when they hear of it at all. Twice in the past two months I have stood in this Chamber calling for the Oireachtas to lead an open discussion on gender and sex policy especially regarding treatment of minors with gender dysphoria. I warned that our silence and often monolithic stance is steering us towards endorsing the affirmative care model whose basis in theory - I use those words loosely - faces global criticism for lacking robust evidence and causing irreversible harm to vulnerable youth.Treatments like puberty blockers, which are heavily restricted in the UK, are still claimed by WPATH to be reversible. We are still allowing a small clique of NGOs and policymakers, who should really be seen as ideological activists, to dominate, thereby turning a national conversation into an elitist monologue. I call on the Minister for Health to appear in this Chamber for an open debate on this issue and for her to clarify her position in light of the growing global reassessment.