Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1426. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the action his Department has taken to honour the Programme for Government pledge to ensure that Government Departments and public bodies take positive steps, including the use of correct pronouns and, where possible, making improvements on official forms, to assist non-binary people. [35830/23]
View answerOne of the values in my Department’s Statement of Strategy is to treat our colleagues and those to whom we provide services equitably, in keeping with our Public Sector Human Rights and Equality obligations. The Statement of Strategy advocates for equality and respect for all and seeks to ensure a safe, respectful, inclusive and collaborative working environment for all staff.
The Deputy will be aware that the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel has responsibility for drafting Bills on behalf of the Government, and statutory instruments on behalf of the Government and Ministers of the Government. As such, my Department defers to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on the appropriate language to use when drafting legislation.
My Department is in the process of developing an internal Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy which will be published later this year. This new strategy will align with the values of my Department as stated in the Statement of Strategy.
