Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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327. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade 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. [11271/23]

Micheál Martin (Leader of the Opposition; Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Current legislative language is guided by Interpretation Act 2005 section 18(b)(i), wherein as a matter of statutory interpretation, words referring to the masculine gender are taken to refer to the female gender, and vice versa.

Regarding the drafting of policies, the Department of Foreign Affairs is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all colleagues feel respected, valued and included. My Department launched a GEDI (Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) Action Plan in mid 2022, that will help the Department to further develop our systems, policies and practices to embed diversity and inclusion.