23 Aug 2013, 14:02
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection today issued an invitation to interested individuals and groups for written submissions on the recently- published General Scheme of the Gender Recognition Bill 2013.
29 August 2013
The Scheme was published in July by the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, following Cabinet approval, and was referred to the Committee for its consideration. Under the Bill, a person who undergoes a transition of gender would have their acquired gender fully recognised by the State for all purposes – including the right to marry or enter a civil partnership in the acquired gender, and the right to a new birth certificate
Launching the public consultation this morning, Joanna Tuffy TD, Chair of the Committee said: “This important piece of legislation will address the position of transgender people aged 18 and over and who are not married or in a civil partnership. In order to assist the Committee to carefully and thoroughly consider this proposed legislation, the Committee is seeking the views of interested individuals and organisations.
\"As legislators with the responsibility in this area, it is important that we engage with people and organisations on the potential merits and flaws within the legislation. The Committee may decide to invite one or more individuals or groups to a public hearing to discuss particular submissions in detail. On foot of this public process, the Committee will publish a report on the legislation, and the issues raised in the report may also be relevant in the context of the future consideration of the Bill by the Dáil and Seanad.\"
The General Scheme is available via the Department of Social Protection website.
The closing date for receipt of submissions is Wednesday 18 September.
Committee Membership
Deputy Joanna Tuffy - Chair
Deputies James Bannon, Ray Butler, Joan Collins, Clare Daly, Brendan Griffin , Jim Daly, Derek Keating, Charlie McConalogue, Nicky McFadden, Jonathan O’Brien, Willie O’Dea, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Brendan Ryan
Senators Jim D’Arcy, Fidelma Healy Eames, Marie Moloney, Mary Moran, Averil Power, Marie-Louise O’Donnell