The government has been accused of “waging a de facto war” against “biological reality” after it seemingly doubled down on laws allowing gender self-identification in Ireland after the UK Supreme Court ruled that the legal definition of ‘woman’ is based on biological sex.
As Gript previously reported, campaigners and political figures are calling on the government to review our Gender Recognition Act which allows for any biological male to apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate at government offices, which renders him legally a woman in this jurisdiction and does not require that the man have undergone any gender reassignment treatments.
The law, which was passed without little to no opposition in 2015, has led to men who have Gender Recognition Certificates being housed in women’s jails as well as being allowed to participate in female sporting leagues.
In a statement issued to the Sunday Independent, Minister Foley said, “Irish law prohibits discrimination on specific grounds under the Employment Equality Acts and the Equal Status Acts [the Equality Acts],”.
“The Equality Acts give effect to EU legislation on equality and it has been established under EU law that a transgender person who experiences discrimination arising from their gender reassignment, or transition, is protected under the gender ground.
“It is important to note that the UK’s Equal Status Act is not equivalent to the Irish Equality Acts, with separate grounds of discrimination and different wording in both pieces of legislation.” the statement said.
Reacting to the Minister’s comments, Senator Sharon Keogan asked whether Foley was “suggesting that the rights of Irish women differ from those of English women?”
Speaking to Gript, Senator Keogan said, “This notion is preposterous.”
“The common legal framework we share with England renders them nearly indistinguishable on numerous issues.”
Keogan continued, “this government, along with many of our ministers, appears to grapple with the fundamental question: “What is a woman?”.”
“It may require a challenge in the Supreme Court here in Ireland to clarify these biological facts for them once and for all. While it is essential that our transgender community possesses equal rights, it is crucial that these rights do not infringe upon the hard-won rights of biological women.” she said.
Independent TD for Offaly, Carol Nolan accused the government of being at “war” with “biological reality”.
Speaking to Gript with regard to the Gender Recognition Act, Deputy Nilan said, “Irish Governments since 2015 have waged a de facto war on biological reality.”
“That must end.” she said, adding that “Women are adult human females.”
“That is a common sense reality that only the most ideologically blind can fail to see.” she said.