I am delighted to speak on this motion. It is timely in that it has been only a matter of weeks since we had homophobic attacks on the streets of my home city of Cork. This behaviour is repulsive and should be roundly condemned by all in this House. No one should walk our streets in fear, no matter who they are. One of the best things this Government could do to address issues of homophobia and transphobia would be to address the shortcomings in our public services. If our State treats the LGBTQI+ community with less regard and less focus, this lesser regard will be mirrored in our society. We see big gaps in the provision of healthcare services and it is no different for trans people. In 2024, we had the longest known waiting times in Europe for trans healthcare. Even people who were receiving gender-affirming healthcare in other countries and then move to Ireland must go through the initial process before accessing the same services here. The reliance on private healthcare either via the national gender service or as an alternative to it creates class disparities and puts further financial pressure on trans people. I also want to speak to the broader issue of transphobia and transphobic abuse in Ireland and further afield. I do not understand where the hatred of trans people and the scaremongering about them come from. There is no need for this level of hatred. Trans people simply want to live their lives happy and comfortable in themselves. They want dignity and respect. They want to be able to receive healthcare just like anyone else. This year, we celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Gender Recognition Act. It is a progressive beacon to Europe and the rest of the world. It shows that we can be progressive, inclusive and ahead of the curve. I must call out the nonsense we hear when we raise trans issues, particularly from Deputies in certain quarters of this House, on the Independent Ireland benches.

Sentiment score: -0.02

It has been suggested that this motion is not called for and that other, more important issues should be raised. To that, I tell Deputies to look around them. This is a big Chamber with over 170 Deputies. The spectrum of issues we all raise is massive. I have spent my time in this Dáil raising various issues that affect this country. I would never suggest that one of these issues is more important than another because any one of those issues is the biggest issue someone in this country is facing today. It was referenced that our party has somehow turned its back on the people we represent. What a stupid comment. Every single one of my colleagues sitting around me and our councillors in local authorities know exactly the issues facing people across this country. Trans healthcare is an issue. The difference between our party and theirs is that we are not afraid to stand up to support marginalised trans people. They are, because bigotry outweighs genuine concerns. I do not have to put on a political caricature to pretend I understand the issues that people across this country face. Some do. In fact, the shared issues across healthcare are apparent in the motion before us. Trans people are facing severe delays and regional inequalities just like many cisgender people across the country trying to access healthcare. Trans healthcare in Ireland is not up to standard and it is vital that these issues are raised in this House. This House is representative of the people of Ireland, and trans people in Ireland are just as entitled to have their public services and the lack thereof raised in this Parliament. The Labour Party will never apologise for standing up for the most marginalised in our society. I urge our colleagues across this House to support the motion.

Sentiment score: 0.10