Press release
Minister Doherty announces Moninne Griffith as Chair of Gender Recognition Act Review Group
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty TD today announced Moninne Griffith as Chair of the Review Group of the Gender Recognition Act 2015. Ms. Griffith is Executive Director of BeLonG To, a national organisation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) young people, aged between 14 and 23.
The review of the 2015 Act will cover issues such as gender recognition for children younger than 16 years of age; arrangements for 16 and 17 year olds; and the position of non-binary and intersex persons.
The Minister also announced three members of the group – Sara Phillips, Seamus Byrne and Dr. Tanya Ní Mhuirthile. The full membership of the group will be finalised in the coming days. It will include representatives of key stakeholder groups, Government Departments (Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Children and Youth Affairs, Education and Skills, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Health, and, Justice and Equality). The group will commence its work later this month.
Speaking at the announcement of Ms. Griffith as Chair, Minister Doherty said: “Moninne Griffith’s professional background and her current work make her an ideal person to chair the Gender Recognition Act Review Group. I am grateful to her for agreeing to chair the Group.”
Moninne Griffith said: “I was honoured to be offered the role of Chair of the Review Group. I look forward to working with the many individuals and groups who have views and a vision of what the 2015 Act can deliver.”
It is intended that the review will be completed by end May 2018.
The secretariat to the group will be provided by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
The appointment of Ms. Griffith was announced at a media event today at the Department of Employment Affairs & Social Protection, Store Street, Dublin 1.
Ends
Notes to Editor
Photographs of Minister Doherty and Moninne Griffith at today’s announcement are available from Shane O’Neill photography.
A copy of the Gender Recognition Act 2015 is available here.
Moninne Griffith - Chair
Moninne Griffith has over 20 years’ experience in the fields of advocacy, law and social justice. Today, she leads BeLonG To Youth Services, Ireland’s national organisation for LGBT+ young people. As Executive Director, she is dedicated to supporting and empowering LGBT+ youth, and achieving a world where they are equal, safe and valued in the diversity of their identities and experiences.
Moninne is a member of the Government’s Taskforce on Youth Mental Health and the oversight committee of the National LGBTI+ Youth Strategy. She is a former Chairperson of the National Women’s Council of Ireland.
Moninne worked as a solicitor in general practice for a decade and holds a Bachelor of Civil Law and a MA in Women’s Studies from University College Dublin.
Other appointments to the group
Sara Phillips – Chair of TENI (Transgender Equality Network of Ireland)
Sara Phillips has been involved with the trans community for over 20 years and has been a member of TENI since its inception in 2006. Sara is now in her second term as Chair having originally been appointed to the position in November 2012. For over 4 years Sara was the facilitator of the Dublin Trans Peer Support Group and is still a member of its steering committee.
Seamus Byrne
Seamus is a young person, a peer educator and member of IndividualiTy, BeLonG To’s youth group for Transgender young people in Dublin. He is from Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath and has been a vocal advocate for Trans rights for many years. He has represented BeLonG To at many national and International events including the recent 2017 annual conference in Croatia of the International Gay & lesbian Youth Organisation (IGLYO) and the 2016 conference of Transgender Europe (TGEU) in Italy.
Dr Tanya Ni Mhuirthile
Dr. Tanya Ní Mhuirthile joined the DCU School of Law and Government in September 2015, having previously held positions in both Griffith College and University College Cork. Tanya teaches undergraduate modules in the areas of Equity, Trusts, Irish Legal System and Law and Body Politics.
Tanya's research interrogates the interaction between the body and law and draws on human rights law, medical law, law and gender theory and feminist jurisprudence. Tanya is a legal consultant to both Transgender Equality Network Ireland and IntersexUK.