Eoghan Kenny urges action on trans healthcare after Cork attacks
Eoghan Kenny spoke in the Dáil about recent homophobic attacks and the shortcomings in Ireland's trans healthcare, urging colleagues to support a motion to address delays and inequalities. He condemned street attacks in Cork and argued that state neglect of LGBTQI plus services contributes to societal prejudice.
He opened by condemning recent homophobic attacks on the streets of his home city in Cork, calling the behaviour repulsive and saying no one should walk the streets with fear.
He highlighted that in 2024 Ireland had the longest known waiting times in Europe for trans healthcare and criticised the requirement that people who received gender-affirming care abroad must repeat initial processes here. He warned that reliance on private care, including via the NGS, creates class disparities and financial pressure on trans people.
He spoke to the wider problem of transphobia and scaremongering, saying he did not understand the hatred directed at trans people and emphasising that they seek dignity, respect and access to healthcare like anyone else. He also called out deputies on the Independent Ireland benches who he said dismissed the need for the motion and rebutted accusations that his party had turned its back on constituents.
He noted the 10th anniversary of the Gender Recognition Act, calling it a progressive beacon, and stated that the Labour Party will never apologise for standing up for the most marginalised. He concluded by urging colleagues across the House to support the motion to address regional inequalities and systemic failings in trans healthcare.
Homophobic attacks in Cork
He opened by condemning recent homophobic attacks on the streets of his home city in Cork, calling the behaviour repulsive and saying no one should walk the streets with fear.
Trans healthcare waiting times and access
He highlighted that in 2024 Ireland had the longest known waiting times in Europe for trans healthcare and criticised the requirement that people who received gender-affirming care abroad must repeat initial processes here. He warned that reliance on private care, including via the NGS, creates class disparities and financial pressure on trans people.
Broader concerns about transphobia
He spoke to the wider problem of transphobia and scaremongering, saying he did not understand the hatred directed at trans people and emphasising that they seek dignity, respect and access to healthcare like anyone else. He also called out deputies on the Independent Ireland benches who he said dismissed the need for the motion and rebutted accusations that his party had turned its back on constituents.
Gender Recognition Act and political stance
He noted the 10th anniversary of the Gender Recognition Act, calling it a progressive beacon, and stated that the Labour Party will never apologise for standing up for the most marginalised. He concluded by urging colleagues across the House to support the motion to address regional inequalities and systemic failings in trans healthcare.
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Transcript
I'm delighted to speak on this motion. It is a timely motion. It's only a matter of weeks since we have had homophobic attacks on the streets of my home city in Cork. This behaviour is repulsive and should be roundly condemned by all in this House. No one should walk our streets with fear, no matter who they are. One of the best things this government can do to address issues of homophobia and transphobia is to address the shortcomings in our public services. If our state treats LGBTQI plus community with less regard, with less focus, then this less regard will be mirrored in our society. We see big gaps in the provision of our healthcare services, and this is no different for trans people. In 2024, we had the longest known waiting times in Europe for trans healthcare. Even people who were receiving gender-affirming healthcare in other countries and then moved to Ireland must go through this initial process before accessing the same services here. The reliance on private care, either via the NGS or as an alternative to the NGS, creates class disparities and puts further financial pressure on trans people. I want to speak also to the broader issue of transphobia and transphobic abuse in Ireland and further afield. I do not understand where the hatred and scaremongering of trans people comes from. There is no need for this level of hatred. Trans people simply want to live their lives happy and comfortable in themselves. They want dignity and respect. They want to be able to receive healthcare just like anyone else. This year we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Gender Recognition Act. It is a progressive beacon to Europe and the rest of the world. It shows that we can be progressive, inclusive and ahead of the curve. I must call out the nonsense we hear when we raise trans issues, particularly from deputies across this House in certain quarters, over there in the Independent Ireland benches. It has been suggested that this motion is not called for and that there are other issues that should be raised that are more important. To that I would say, look around you. This is a big chamber with over 170 deputies. The spectrum of issues we all raise is massive. I have spent my time in this Dáil raising various issues that affect this country. I would never suggest that one of these issues is more important than another because any one of those issues is the biggest issue someone in this country is facing today. It was referenced that our party have somehow turned our backs on the people we represent. What a stupid comment. Every single one of my colleagues sitting around me here and our councillors in local authorities know exactly the issues facing people across this country. Trans healthcare is an issue. The difference between our party and theirs is that we are not afraid to stand up and support marginalised trans people. They are because bigotry outweighs genuine concerns. I don't have to put on a political caricature to pretend I understand the issues that people across this country face. Some do. In fact, the shared issues across healthcare are apparent in the motion before us here. Trans people are facing severe delays and regional inequalities, just like many cisgender people across the country trying to access it. Trans healthcare in Ireland is not up to standard and it is vital that these issues are raised in this house. This house is representative of the people of Ireland and trans people in Ireland are just as entitled to have their public services and lack thereof raised in this parliament. The Labour Party will never apologise for standing up for the most marginalised in our society. And I urge our colleagues across this house to support the motion. Thank you.