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The Government has been criticized for a delay in banning controversial conversion therapy in Ireland.<\/p>\nThe Government has been criticized for a delay in banning controversial conversion therapy in Ireland.<\/p>\n
Ministers launched Ireland\u2019s National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019\u20132021 on Thursday, with 100 actions proposed to make the nation more open for the community.<\/p>\n
Two of the actions listed are: \u201cRegarding the promotion and practice of conversion therapy, continue research to establish the extent to which the practice is occurring in Ireland and review international best practice in responding, which will also include legislative responses in other countries,\u201d and: \u201cInformed by the findings of the above research, develop an appropriate package of measures for implementation in response.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked whether he is minded to ban conversion therapy, Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan refused to be drawn on the issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an issue we should be mindful of and I also believe that appropriate attention should be shown towards it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe it\u2019s important we uncover the facts in the first instance then engage in appropriate action.\u201d<\/p>\n
Conversion therapy involves trying to change someone\u2019s sexual orientation from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual using psychological or spiritual intervention.<\/p>\n
Critics say it can be traumatic and is based on bogus science or extreme religious beliefs.<\/p>\n
The Prohibition of Conversion Therapies Bill, which was put forward by Sinn F\u00e9in Senator Fintan Warfield, passed its second stage in the Seanad last year and is currently in committee stage.<\/p>\n
The Bill would make it unlawful for any person to \u201cperform or offer to perform conversion therapy on a person, advertise conversion therapy, or remove a person from the State for the purposes of conversion therapy\u201d.<\/p>\n
Described as \u201can Act to prohibit conversion therapy as a deceptive and harmful act or practice against a person\u2019s sexual orientation, gender identity and\/or gender expression\u201d, Mr Warfield said the Bill would finally lead to the process being outlawed in Ireland.<\/p>\n
On the inclusion strategy, he said: \u201cThe Department of Justice have been aware of the ongoing activities of certain groups for some time.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been telling them this for over a year. They could have started this research a year ago so they\u2019re program of work will not hold up ours.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe practice of conversion therapy has been condemned and discredited worldwide by institutions such as the UN Committee Against Torture, the European Parliament and by the Irish Council for Psychotherapy.<\/p>\n
\u201cSinn F\u00e9in welcome the department\u2019s reference to conversion therapy but the Seanad has already supported the principle of a legal ban on the practice.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo the Government should move quickly in their work because the Seanad will vote again on Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s proposal to outlaw this practice in the coming months.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure that their work will result in their support for our Bill.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Bill has cross-party support in the Seanad, with backing from independent senators Lynn Ruane, Alice-Mary Higgins, Colette Kelleher, Frances Black and Joan Freeman, as well as Green Party, Fine Gael and Labour Party senators.<\/p>\n