Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 May 2010
312 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the commitment in the programme for Government 2007 to legislate for acquired gender identity for transsexuals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19012/10]
View answer313 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19013/10]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 312 and 313 together.
The Renewed Programme for Government, published in October 2009, contains a commitment to introduce legal recognition of the acquired gender of transsexuals. An interdepartmental committee has been established with the following terms of reference:- "To advise the Minister for Social and Family Affairs on the legislation required to provide for legal recognition by the State of the acquired gender of transsexuals. In particular to propose heads of a bill to provide for
The establishment of a process for legal recognition of the acquired gender of persons suffering from Gender Identity Disorder who have made the transition from one gender to the other.
The establishment of a gender recognition register.
The granting of entitlement to transsexuals to marry in the legally recognised reassigned gender
Any other provisions as may be deemed necessary consequent on the main provisions of the Bill".
The committee is made up of representatives of various Departments and Offices of State and had its first meeting on Thursday, 6 May 2010. It is envisaged that the committee, as part of its deliberations, may invite submissions from interested groups, experts in the field and the public. I would expect that the committee will make its recommendations within a period of about 6 months. It is not possible at this early stage to say when the resulting proposals will be introduced in the legislative programme, or indeed, when a Bill will be introduced. I would, however, assure the Deputy that the matter will be treated as a priority by the Department when the deliberations of the committee are finalised.
The position in relation to the Court proceedings referred to is that the matter is under appeal to the Supreme Court. In the circumstances, it is not appropriate for me to comment further.
