Speech by Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley at the Defending Freedoms: Advancing Human Rights Conference

*Check against delivery*

Good morning.

It is a great pleasure for me to be here today to open the Defending Freedoms: Advancing Human Rights Conference, marking the 10th Anniversary of Ireland’s Marriage Equality Referendum.

This conference signals the beginning of a series of events being held around the country to commemorate the anniversary. I would like to thank the Marriage Equality Referendum +10 team and particularly Paula Fagan, for the invitation to address you today.

I would like to take the opportunity to welcome all of those who have joined us today for this discussion, a special welcome to those who have travelled to be with us, whether it is from mainland Europe, further afield or closer to home.

The Programme today promises to be an inspiring one, with an array of excellent speakers on a number of very important topics. It will shine a light on the critical issues which we must continue to work on together, in order to advance and protect LGBTIQ+ rights.

On days like today, we are reminded that many of these issues are felt across groups, generations and borders but by working together to defend freedoms and advance human rights, their resolution can be shared too.

This anniversary is indeed a time for celebration.

It is also a moment of reflection on what we have achieved over the past number of years.

The Marriage Equality Referendum was undoubtedly a momentous achievement, one in which so many of you here today played a crucial role. This work in advancing human rights and equality has made Ireland a more progressive and welcoming place than before.

Ireland’s journey to achieving marriage equality, through the overwhelming passage of the Marriage Equality Referendum in 2015, demonstrates how a country can come together, to show understanding for our fellow citizens and to achieve fairness and equality for all couples.

What was achieved in Ireland was not a quick process. Ireland had been taking steps since the 1980s to improve the lives and wellbeing of the LGBTIQ+ community. A crucial stepping stone along this process was of course the decriminalisation of consensual sexual relations between male adults in 1993.

However, in May 2015, Ireland made history. We became the first country in the world to vote for equal marriage in a Referendum. As you are all well aware, the Referendum was carried by a huge majority of 62% - 38% of voters.

This was a momentous and powerful occasion, not only for the LGBTIQ+ community in Ireland, but for the entire country. It represented the coming together of a nation, in a most profound way to show solidarity, kindness and understanding for our fellow citizens.

The Yes Equality campaign, in which many of you here today played a role, is a wonderful example of what extensive civil society networks and grass roots organisations can achieve.

Persuading an electorate to vote to provide rights for a minority is never an easy task. Neither is it easy for a minority to depend on the generosity of a majority to realise their rights.

In a nation of story tellers, having conversations and telling personal stories proved crucial in bringing people along, and engaging undecided voters in real, heartfelt conversations.

The Marriage Equality referendum has had a real, positive impact in the lives of so many LGBTIQ+ people.

The annual marriage statistics from the Central Statistics Office show that hundreds of LGBTIQ+ couples are proudly getting married each year – including 688 last year. Maybe some of you are here today! Interestingly, the most popular month for same-sex marriages last year was September, while for opposite sex marriages it was August.

Since the Marriage Equality Referendum, the government has sought to make further advancements through the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy.

Through these Strategies, meaningful progress has been made in a number of areas:

€5.46 million in funding has been provided to 138 projects under the LGBTI+ Community Services Fund since 2020 to promote inclusion, protect rights and improve quality of life and wellbeing for LGBTIQ+ people. This funding has afforded crucial support to community-led organisations, many of which are the backbone of inclusion and support in towns and villages across Ireland.

In education, we have made real strides in making our schools more inclusive and supportive of LGBTIQ+ students. I am proud of our updated Junior Cycle, Social Personal and Health Education curriculum, which has been enhanced to reflect greater inclusivity of LGBTIQ+ lives.

This is critical in creating classrooms where students feel that they are seen, respected and supported. We have also expanded teacher training and resources to better equip school communities to challenge discrimination and foster respect.

Our anti-bullying policy for schools is called Cineáltas, the Irish word for kindness. It has a strong focus on tackling behaviour or language that intends to harm a student because of their perceived or actual membership of the LGBTQ+ community.

Several important health initiatives have also been progressed, particularly within the area of sexual health including the launch of a free national Sexually Transmitted Infection home testing service and the roll-out of a national Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis programme to reduce the risk of HIV infection.

Furthermore, new hate crime legislation came into force last year. This is a hugely important piece of legislation that will better support our Gardaí in prosecuting and securing convictions for hate crimes.

While much has been achieved over the last number of years, I am conscious that our work is not yet done.

Government recognises that the global context has changed in the intervening years since the Marriage Equality Referendum. We know that there are new and emerging issues and challenges for the LGBTIQ+ community.

The current challenges to LGBTIQ+ safety across Europe, show us that the progress we have made cannot be taken for granted. The increases we are seeing globally in the harassment and persecution of LGBTIQ+ persons must be challenged, tackled and stopped.

I believe strongly that we can continue to work together to create a spirit of tolerance and understanding.

It is an important time to come together and ensure that the accepting and welcoming country that we have seen Ireland become in recent years endures. Our commitment to improving the lives and protecting the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community remains steadfast.

I am therefore delighted to announce today that the successor National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy II 2024-2028 and its associated first two-year Action Plan will be launched later this month.

The new Strategy reflects the government’s commitment to fostering a safe, fair, and inclusive society for the LGBTIQ+ community; a society in which LGBTIQ+ people can live inclusive, healthy, and fulfilling lives.

This Strategy is grounded in the voices and experiences of those in the LGBTIQ+ community. There was a robust consultation process which engaged with and listened to a wide range of voices within the community, including many of you who are here today.

I believe that the Strategy and its Action Plan can have a real impact on the lives of LGBTIQ+ people and I look forward to continuing our important work alongside all of you in the future.

As I near my conclusion – those magical words - I want to assure you that Government is keen to build on the great strides in recent years to promote equality and respond to the changing needs of a diverse population.

As the Minister for Equality, this is at the core of my department’s work and I am working closely in this regard too with Minister of State for Disability Hildegarde Naughton.

We acknowledge the understandable concern amongst the LGBTIQ+ community at the undermining of LGBTIQ+ rights across the globe and stand in solidarity with you as we rise to meet these challenges.

It is clear that there is need for renewed efforts and continued collaboration to protect and promote these hard-won rights. We want Ireland to remain a beacon of equality, democracy and inclusion.

Ireland has a proud record as a champion of human rights and Government remains deeply committed to the promotion and protection of LGBTIQ+ equality.

We will continue to work to better the lives of all in the LGBTIQ+ community and to actively advocate for the rights of LGBTIQ+ individuals both in Ireland and internationally.

I want to thank again the organisers behind today’s conference for all your hard work.

I hope that you all enjoy this meaningful conference today. The line up of speakers and panels discussions will bring a deep insight, passion and purpose to the conversations ahead. May today spark new ideas and strengthen our resolve for the important work we all share.

Go raibh maith agaibh.