THE FIRST steps in legislating for gender recognition are expected to be taken next year, according to a letter from the Department of the Taoiseach.
The letter to a Sinn Féin TD said draft heads of a Bill were “envisaged” for 2013.
The letter was sent in response to a Dáil question by Sinn Féin’s social protection spokesman, Aengus Ó Snodaigh.
Last September, at the European Transgender Council conference in Dublin, Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton, said the draft heads of a Bill would be brought before an Oireachtas committee in October or November of this year.
However, last week Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and the Department of Social Protection both said it was impossible to give a time frame for such legislation.
In 2007 the State was ordered by the High Court to create a legal mechanism for gender recognition when the court ruled Ireland was in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights in the Foy case by failing to provide legislation.
A Gender Recognition Advisory Group was established in 2010 to advise Ms Burton on legislation.
The letter to Mr Ó Snodaigh said the Government noted the advisory group’s report in 2011 and “approved the drafting of the heads of a Bill to provide for the legal recognition” which would be based on the recommendations and further consultation between the advisory group and the Minister.
The Department of Social Protection has commenced drafting of the heads of a Bill, but its contents will depend on the legal advice of the office of the Attorney General.