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Proposed Legislation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 March 2022

Thursday, 24 March 2022

Ceisteanna (43)

Brian Leddin

Ceist:

43. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he intends to follow the model utilised in New Zealand to outlaw conversion therapy; when he expects to be in a position to legislate in this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15358/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate to end the practice of conversion therapy, an objective I strongly support.

In addition, the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy 2018 – 2021 contains a commitment to prohibit the promotion or practice of conversion therapy by health professionals in Ireland, and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019 - 2022 commits to ensuring that the practice is investigated and followed up with appropriate counter measures.

My Department developed a scoping paper on research into conversion therapy in February 2021. This paper comprised a literature overview and a high level examination of the banning of conversion therapy internationally, along with any evidence in Ireland of conversion therapy practices.

In May 2021 I established a sub-committee of the LGBTI+ National Inclusion Strategy Steering Committee to examine the scoping paper developed by my Department, and to agree the next steps in progressing commitments relating to researching, and prohibiting the practice of conversion therapy.

My Department recently commissioned research aimed at capturing the views and experiences of people who have been subjected to the practice of conversion therapy in Ireland. A Request for Quotation issued on 16 November 2021 and the research commenced in February 2022. This qualitative research will be completed by summer 2022, and will assist the Government in developing legislation to ban the practice of conversion therapy. I am open, of course, also to looking at international good practice in this regard.

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