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Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the Government has no plans to consider legal recognition for non-binary gender identities “right now” or in the “foreseeable future”, despite an official Government action plan committing to establish a working group on the issue.
Speaking to Gript outside Government Buildings ahead of this week’s Cabinet meeting, the Fianna Fáil Taoiseach was asked whether extending legal recognition to non-binary genders remained under consideration following Government attendance at Pride events over recent weeks.
Martin first defended the Government’s participation in Pride celebrations and said it would continue supporting people.
“Yeah, well that’s normal that we do attend pride,” he said.
“It’s a joyous occasion for many involved, and it was a the huge numbers turned out at the weekend. And we will continue, you know, in terms of people more generally, in terms of supporting people on their various life journeys and in terms of to affirm people, in decisions they take as mature adults, and to be supportive of that.”
After being asked again whether the Government was still considering extending legal recognition to non-binary gender identities, Martin indicated that it was not currently on the Government’s agenda.
“Well, no, I think again, the government hasn’t that on the agenda right now,” he said.
“The government has already a legislative framework in place.”
When asked to clarify whether the issue remained under consideration, Martin again said there were no current plans to advance the matter.
“There’s there’s nothing on the agenda right now in terms of the Cabinet today,” he said.
“…or in in the foreseeable future. We already have legislation in place in respect of and gender issues.”
Martin’s comments come despite the National LGBTIQ Inclusion Action Plan 2025-2026, published by the Government last year, committing to establish an interdepartmental working group to carry out an impact assessment on providing legal recognition for people who identify as non-binary.
Under the action plan, the Department of Social Protection was tasked with commencing work in the first quarter of 2025 on establishing the working group and assessing the implications of introducing a non-binary legal category.
The Taoiseach’s remarks also differ from comments he made while leader of the opposition in January 2019 during a Dáil debate on the Gender Recognition (Amendment) Bill.
At the time, Martin highlighted proposals within the Bill relating to legal recognition for non-binary people before asking when the legislation would come before the Dáil.
“On the Gender Recognition (Amendment) Bill, I understand that the ‘Prime Time’ special programme this evening will outline the challenges faced by our transgender community in Ireland,” Martin said.
“This Bill would amend the Gender Recognition Act 2015 to provide a right to self-determination for persons who have reached the age of 16 years, introduce the right to legal gender recognition for persons under the age of 16, and ensure consideration of the status of non-binary persons in Irish law.”
He continued by asking the then-Taoiseach when the legislation would progress.
“I understand that all Stages of this Bill went through Seanad Éireann in March 2017, which is nearly two years ago,” Martin said.
“It is very important to all involved and to their families. Will the Taoiseach indicate when the Bill might be before this House so it can proceed through all Stages?”
The issue has returned to political debate in recent weeks following the publication of draft legislation by Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger.
As reported by Gript last month, Coppinger’s proposed Bill would introduce legal recognition for non-binary gender identities by allowing individuals to change the gender designation on gender recognition certificates from male or female to a non-binary or “X” category.
Speaking to reporters during Pride month, Social Democrats health spokesman Padraig Rice confirmed that his party would support such legislation.
“Absolutely,” Rice said when asked whether he would back the proposal.
Ireland’s Gender Recognition Act 2015 currently allows individuals to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate recognising them as either male or female. The legislation does not provide legal recognition for a non-binary gender category.
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