Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
26. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs 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. [35829/23]
View answerThe Programme for Government: Our Shared Future contains a number of actions with respect to gender recognition. These actions include promoting the use and acceptance of correct pronouns and, where possible, making improvements on official forms to assist non-binary people.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is engaged in promoting and progressing these actions with respect to gender recognition. The Passport Service enables applicants to have their passport issued in their preferred gender and, if applicable, in a new name in accordance with the provisions of the Gender Recognition Act 2015. In April 2023, additional improvements were made to simplify the process for applicants aged 16-17 applying through the Passport Online system who are changing their name due to gender change.
The Passport Service continuously explores ways to make its services more inclusive, working within the constraints of the legislation and the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) guidelines.
My Department is working to embed a culture of dignity and respect in the workplace and, as part of these efforts, in 2022 we launched a Guide to Supporting Transgender Colleagues for all staff. This guide provides useful information on how to forge an inclusive environment for our transgender colleagues including clear guidance on the use of pronouns.
