Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Greens propose to “Amend the gender ground in equality legislation, to ensure that someone discriminated against on the basis of their gender identity is able to avail of this legislation.” https://womensspaceireland.ie/articles/will-state-agencies-stand-up-for-women-and-girls-sex-based-rights/

Last November’s LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021 sought to “Review the Employment Equality and Equal Status Acts to ensure that transgender, non-conforming and intersex people have explicit protection within the equality grounds.” (p.20) @Intersexfacts @RaeUK @ClareCAIS

The Equal Status Act 2000 defines “gender” in 3 (2) “As between any two persons, the discriminatory grounds (and the descriptions of those grounds for the purposes of this Act) are: (a) that one is male and the other is female (the "gender ground"),

However the IHREC also explains that

“Under EU law a transgender person who experiences discrimination arising from their gender reassignment, or transition, is also protected under the gender ground.”

BeLonG To however says of the Equal Status Act that “Sexual orientation and gender, including being transgender, are two of the nine grounds” under which discrimination is prohibited in the delivery of goods and services.

It also says in its online training that TENI, the Transgender Equality Network Ireland, recommends for trans+ young people that

However the IHREC points out that the Acts allow for people to be treated differently in certain circumstances. For example under Section 5 (2) (g):

It also says "The Commission is nevertheless of that view that the equality acts should explicitly prohibit discrimination against transgender, non-binary and intersex people.” @intersexfacts @RaeUK @ClareCAIS

The Department has said it “responds to requests made by a school for a transgender toilet based on an established need.” If transgender pupils can have a toilet installed to meet an "established need", do girls not also have an "established need" for single sex toilets?

Period shaming is a pressure uniquely suffered by girls. Allowing male bodies into school toilets when girls need a safe space to handle menstruation and ordinary toileting will surely impact on their feelings of safety and privacy.

The Government should be aware of the clash of rights where gender identity meets sex-based rights. Women and girls have very particular needs and the exemptions provided for under our equality legislation were provided in order to respect those rights.