Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

149. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment 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. [11268/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, as a public body my Department has a duty to eliminate discrimination, promote equality and protect the human rights of staff and the people availing of its services.

In February my Department published its first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion statement, which sets out the principles we work by, and the actions we undertake, to ensure compliance with this legislation and ensure we are promoting equality, diversity and inclusion as an employer and public body.

On the issue of drafting of legislation, my Department engages the expertise at the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel (OPC) to the Government to draft Bills on behalf of the Government, and statutory instruments on behalf of the Government and Ministers of the Government.

On the issue of drafting policies, my Department commits to engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders to inform the development of policies which fall under the Department's remit. Under the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion statement my Department can affirm that it does not discriminate on the grounds of an individual’s gender, gender identity and/or gender expression: female, male, non-binary; or where an individual is in the process of gender transition or where an individual has completed this reassignment or undergoing any associated medical supports.

Further to the publication of this Equality, Diversity and Inclusion statement, we are working to develop our first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy, which will set out a vision for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in this Department and how that will be effected for both customers and staff of the Department. The specific issue of gender-neutral pronouns will be explored as part of this process.