Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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491. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department supports the use of gender-neutral pronouns in the drafting of legislation or policies initiated by or originating in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11272/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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One of the values in my Department’s Statement of Strategy (SoS) is to treat our colleagues and those to whom we provide services equitably, in keeping with our Public Sector Human Rights and Equality obligations. The SoS advocates for equality and respect for all and seeks to ensure a safe, respectful, inclusive and collaborative working environment for all staff.

I have been advised that there are no specific actions that relate to the use of pronouns in the current National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021. However, one of the key objectives of the strategy is to support employees and employers to make all workplaces positive and inclusive environments for LGBTI+ people.

I understand that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) are in the process of developing a new LGBTI+ strategy. My Department is a member of the national LGBTI+ Steering Committee which oversees the implementation of the strategy and is working with the DCEDIY on the development of the new strategy.

The Deputy will be aware that the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel has responsibility for drafting Bills on behalf of the Government, and statutory instruments on behalf of the Government and Ministers of the Government. As such, my Department defers to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on the appropriate syntax to use when drafting legislation.

The Deputy may wish to note that the meaning and construction of gender words and expressions is provided for in the Interpretation Act 2005. Section 18(b) of the Act states that a “word importing the masculine gender shall be read as also importing the feminine gender”. It further provides that “a word importing the feminine gender shall be read as also importing the masculine gender” in respect of an Act passed on or after 22 December 1993.

My Department is in the process of developing an internal Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy which will be published later this year. This new strategy will align with the values of my Department as espoused in the Statement of Strategy. Issues such as the use of pronouns will be considered as part of the development of the strategy.