Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:48 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection when the heads of the promised Bill on transgender rights and recognition will be published. [34941/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 17 July 2012
Ceisteanna (45)
Freagraí scríofa
Since the publication of the Report, the Department has been working on developing draft Heads of a Bill. In this context, it has engaged in discussions with the relevant medical health professionals and with representatives from interested NGOs. Officials from the Department also met with officials from the Attorney General's office and external counsel on the matter.
Following these discussions, advice was sought from the Office of the Attorney General on the main issues, namely, Marital and Civil Partnership status and Minors and Capacity. These are sensitive and complex issues and the advice when received from the Office of the Attorney General, will continue to inform the drafting of the Heads of the Bill.
It is not possible to be definitive at this stage about when I will be in a position to introduce legislation to give legal recognition to the acquired gender of transgender persons. Upon receipt of the legal advice sought, the Department will be in a better position to give a timeframe for the completion of the draft Heads of the Bill.
Question No. 49 answered with Question No. 38.