Dáil rejects attempt to add ‘non-binary identity’ into law

Deputies have voted 87 to 63 against proposals to introduce the concept of ‘non-binary’ into law.

Under TD Ruth Coppinger’s ‘Non-Binary and Intersex Recognition Bill’, a third gender, represented by the letter ‘X’, could have been recorded on Gender Recognition Certificates, death certificates, or on birth certificates for those with rare intersex characteristics.

Government Minister Charlie McConalogue admitted that even though the Government is exploring “legal recognition for non-binary people”, it could not support Coppinger’s Bill due to “obvious unresolved issues” – such as preventing a child from changing legal sex.

‘Common sense’

Speaking in the debate, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said: “We need to treat all our citizens with respect and decency but it is also really important that we have a society based on science and evidence.

“Gender ideology as represented in the Bill from the far left today is anti-science and anti-evidence. Proponents of this Bill think that they are fighting on the last front of human rights but in reality they are doing enormous damage to children and women.”

Michael Collins, Leader of Independent Ireland, agreed, saying: “The Bill asks the Irish people to set aside basic common sense and basic biological reality. It asks us to pretend that something understood by humanity since the beginning of time is now somehow up for debate.”

‘Imposing ideology’

Collins continued: “What worries many parents is that activists are increasingly trying to drag children into debates that children should never be burdened with. Children should be allowed to be children.

“They should be allowed to grow up, develop naturally and enjoy their childhood without adults imposing confusion or ideological theories on them.”

Deputy Ken O’Flynn highlighted the Bill’s flawed “logic and ideology” on self-identification as it would allow “somebody else to put an X on a newborn’s record”.

“We do not put a mark on a birth certificate when a child is born with a cleft palate or a physical deformity so why are we putting a mark on a birth certificate that will follow someone? We all know that our medical history is very important to all of us.”