Under the Gender Recognition Act, an Irish citizen over 18 can change their sex legally on birth certs, passports and driving licenses by simply making a formal declaration of their “settled and solemn intention”, or to live in a preferred gender, to the Department of Social Protection.
However, there has been a prolonged campaign by Trans activists in Ireland to have this age lowered to include children under 18.
The Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Green coalition Programme for Government have agreed to remove the requirement for 16 and 17 year old children to be independently assessed by two experts before a child can change their sex. The Programme for Government will allow gender self declaration for
16 and 17 year olds with parental consent.
Just after Christmas day, Taoiseach and Fianna Fail Leader, Micheal Martin said he supports the scraping of the two expert reports currently needed for a 16 or 17 year old child to legally change their sex.
The Sun reported that the Fine Gael, Fianna Fail, Green Party coalition also intend to commence research to examine arrangements for children under the age of 16 and ensure Government Departments and public bodies take positive steps, including the use of correct pronouns and where possible making improvements on official forms, to assist nonbinary people.
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