I formally second the motion. We all would have hoped that ten years on from the Gender Recognition Act, we would be a lot further along in ensuring that trans people can get the care they need and deserve but progress has stalled when it comes to truly vindicating trans people's right to be themselves. In a country that has proudly made such strides forward in so many ways, it is utterly shameful that we are ranked the worst in Europe in terms of trans healthcare. The national gender service, as Deputy Sherlock and others have said, is not fit for purpose. I have heard from trans people that its approach is invasive, demeaning, insensitive and ultimately leaves them feeling they have to prove who they are and justify their existence. An article in The Journal earlier this year featured interviews with trans people who felt traumatised by their experience with the national gender service. Is that the kind of healthcare we want to deliver to anyone in Ireland? Do we want to be the kind of society that leaves people who are in need of care traumatised? This motion calls for an informed-consent model. This is the way forward. Such a model includes trans people, does not presume that their identity is something that must be interrogated and supports them in transitioning to who they really are. We need to situate this in the broader context of how discourse around gender issues and trans rights has developed in the last number of years. We are in a very concerning place. Hate directed towards members of the LGBTQ+ community is on the rise. The level of vitriol towards trans people is particularly vicious, enabled and encouraged by influential and powerful figures globally. Certain Members of this House also have a lot to answer for as they seek to engage in imported culture wars.

Sentiment score: -0.03

I was struck by Kathy Sheridan's piece in The Irish Times last week because it summed up my feelings perfectly. She spoke about the absence of kindness in debates around trans people. I hate to use the word "debate" when speaking about the rights of people. This is a group of people - less than 1% of our population - that amounts to an absolutely tiny cohort of marginalised and often vulnerable people. Regardless of how few trans people there are in Ireland or elsewhere, every single one deserves the respect, empathy and dignity we would all hope to receive. I want Ireland to be a beacon of kindness and compassion towards trans people. I want us to reject the cruel, regressive and bigoted rhetoric that we have seen levelled against trans people here and elsewhere. The Gender Recognition Act was not perfect, but it was a good first step. It sailed through these Houses almost ten years ago, almost without a whimper, much to the credit of the then Minister, Joan Burton, and the then Minister of State, Kevin Humphreys. How is it that, ten years later, the discourse around these matters has become one of such intolerance and exclusion? Trans people have always existed and will always exist. They deserve to live happy and fulfilling lives on the same terms as the rest of us. If we are to really vindicate trans people's rights to be themselves, then we need to put the provisions of the motion into action. I commend the motion to the House.

Sentiment score: 0.19