Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2017
437. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to a recent map produced by an organisation (details supplied) and Ireland's comparatively low ranking compared to other western European countries; his plans to improve this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34688/17]
View answer438. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he expects work on the LGBT inclusion strategy to commence; the timeline for its completion; the scope of the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34692/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 437 and 438 together.
While formal and legislative equality for LGBTI people has been largely achieved, much remains to be done at the level of society. For this reason, I will commence the development of a National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy in the Autumn, with a public consultation process as part of scoping our the priorities to be addressed. My view, at this stage, is that this Strategy will identify specific areas of society and policy (e.g., sports and health) areas in which difficulties are still seen as presenting for LGBTI people. The key question here is not what more we need to do on legislation, but how do we work to change those negative attitudes, that still remain in some sections of society.
The high-level objective of the proposed Strategy has been tentatively stated as to bring about the necessary changes in society so that being LGBTI is unremarkable and that LGBTI people are valued throughout society. Discussion will focus on (a) setting out the overall objective, (b) defining the necessary preconditions for achievement of that objective and, then (c) agreeing detailed actions necessary to achieve those preconditions.
I have no formal deadline for the Strategy’s completion, but this is expected to develop out of the examination and consideration of initial findings from the public consultation process.
As you may know, in our current Programme for Government, we included a commitment to produce an LGBT+ Youth Strategy that is being developed separately by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. I am advised that good progress is being made on that Strategy.
With regard to the most recent ILGA Europe Rainbow Europe Map, while Ireland’s overall percentage has dipped slightly to 52%, our overall ranking has improved by two places to 15th in the Rainbow Index. Ireland, as you know, was the first country in the world to legalise marriage equality through a popular vote. Because Ireland has achieved so much in recent years in relation to marriage equality, gender recognition legislation and changes to our equality legislation, it is disappointing that we are not somewhat higher up the Rainbow Index rankings in terms of achievement. A factor is that the Index's methodology focusses on progress in the previous year. Nevertheless, the Index is extremely useful in highlighting areas of law and policy which need to be addressed by Ireland in the coming years in relation to LGBTI issues. In this regard, I can assure the Deputy that the Government is dedicated to continuing to make progress.
