22 Oct 2013, 14:33
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection this week hosts two meetings with Department officials, advocacy groups and leading experts on the recently-published General Scheme of the Gender Recognition Bill 2013.
22 October 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.
Addressing the Committee tomorrow will be:
· Department of Social Protection;
· Transgender Equality Network Ireland;
· TransParenCI;
· BeLonG To Youth Services;
· LGBT Noise;
· Professor Donal O’ Shea.
On Thursday, further perspectives on the Bill will be heard.
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 sought the views of interested individuals and organisations earlier in the year. Over separate sessions tomorrow and Thursday, the Committee will have an opportunity to hear the perspectives of the Department, advocacy groups and legal opinion on this legislation. 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 meeting takes place tomorrow Wednesday 23 October at 1 pm in Committee Room 3, Leinster House 2000. Committee proceedings can be followed here:
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 Terry Brennan, Jim D'Arcy, Marie Moloney, Mary Moran, Marie-Louise O’Donnell, Averil Power