Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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257. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider establishing the rights of trans persons as recommended by an organisation (details supplied) before the Dáil Éireann summer recess given that there is no special provision for transgender persons as is already provided to sexual orientation or other categories that have been protected by such special provisions under the law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36835/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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In July 2021, I launched a public consultation process to inform a review of the Equality Acts (Equal Status Acts 2000-2018 and the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015) to examine the functioning of the Acts and their effectiveness in combatting discrimination and promoting equality.

The purpose of the Review is to examine the operation of the Acts from the perspective of the person taking a claim under its redress mechanisms. It will examine the degree to which those experiencing discrimination are aware of the legislation and whether there are practical or other obstacles that preclude or deter them from taking an action. The Review will also include consideration of commitments in the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy and in the Programme for Government to review the legislation to ensure that transgender, non-conforming and intersex people have explicit protection within the equality grounds .

The response to the public consultation was extensive and submissions are currently being analysed by officials in the Department. The outcome of the consultation will be made public when this is complete and it is intended that some legislative proposals arising from the Review will be brought forward in 2023.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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258. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will take action to introduce a ban to prevent the practice of conversion therapy urgently rather than waiting for the completion of a report from research surrounding conversion therapy commissioned by him in 2022. [36836/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate to end the practice of conversion therapy, an objective I strongly support.

In addition, the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy 2018 – 2021 contains a commitment to prohibit the promotion or practice of conversion therapy by health professionals in Ireland, and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019 - 2022 commits to ensuring that the practice is investigated and followed up with appropriate counter measures.

My Department recently commissioned research aimed at capturing the views and experiences of people who have been subjected to the practice of conversion therapy in Ireland. This qualitative research which commenced in February 2022 is expected to be completed in Autumn 2022, and will assist the Government in developing legislation to ban the practice of conversion therapy. My Department will also look at international good practice in this regard. It is necessary to examine the findings of this research so that any subsequent legislation will be appropriately targeted.