Women and transgender rights
Sir, – The World Health Organisation defines gender identity as a “person’s deeply felt, internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond to the person’s physiology or designated sex at birth”. Despite what Michael McDowell writes (“Women have a right to their own events and spaces”, Opinion, April 23rd), gender is a social construct, has enormous cultural variations and changes over time. The hierarchal nature of gender (particularly in its binary form) leads to well-documented, socioeconomic and other inequalities (including health). This is particularly so in cultures with rigid notions of masculinity.
Gender dysphoria describes the psychological distress experienced by a person whose gender identity differs from that assigned at birth. Not all transgender people have gender dysphoria. To describe people who identify as transgender or non-binary and those who support them as promoting an ideology is dangerous. It is dehumanising and undermines the lived experience. It also has the potential to promote stigma, discrimination, hate and violence.
The management of gender dysphoria is by the provision of timely, high-quality, gender-affirming healthcare, which is not available in Ireland or most other jurisdictions. McDowell, in his many years as a member of the Houses of the Oireachtas, has never advocated for improved transgender healthcare in Ireland but demands that documented evidence of dysphoria be produced before a person can align their gender identity with their gender on legal documentation.
It is important to remind your readers that gender is assigned at birth not on chromosomal confirmation but on the baby’s physical appearance which can be incorrect and can lead to further complexities, particular for intersex people.
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McDowell’s caricaturing of a trans female athlete is so typical of the trans-phobic narrative guised in concern for cisgender women and equity and opportunity in sport. The real issue for lack of engagement of women in sport is inequity in funding and opportunity (mostly controlled by cisgender men).
Without exception, the transgender and non-binary people that I have met both in my private and professional life have been the most non-violent and sweet natured people. If he hasn’t done so already, I would encourage McDowell to meet members of the transgender community, including parents of gender-questioning children, to get a full understanding of the lived experience.
Daily, in my professional life (as a doctor), I see both the physical and mental damage caused to women and those who care for them by cisgender men. Most often it is in the context of intimate partner violence by the men who profess to love them. This is endemic and growing (fuelled by an increasing global, misogynistic narrative). Living as a transgender or non-binary person is difficult and is not a malevolent choice to access women-only safe spaces with the purpose of carrying out violence to other women.
The Gender Recognition Act, as it stands, protects and supports transgender people and I fear that this opinion piece is the start of a process to dismantle it (in keeping with trends globally).
Transgender people are not the problem and our Oireachtas members should focus on the passing of meaningful legislation to protect women against intimate partner violence and developing policies to increase women’s engagement in sport. – Yours, etc,
Prof DES CROWLEY,
Dublin 6.
Changes to the junior cycle
Sir, – Minister for Education Helen McEntee’s announcement (“More Junior Cycle students to get higher grades”, News, April 22) with regards to altering junior cycle grade bands is welcome, albeit only insofar as it attempts to paper over another crack in the programme.
It is a tacit admission of prior failings. Between grade inflation, changes to classroom-based assessment requirements and now this initiative, all this very public tinkering with the assessment process is damaging to student buy-in, and indeed the integrity of the junior cycle programme itself. Faith in an objective appraisal of merit is hard won and should not be trifled with without due consideration.
Exam grades don’t do sugar-coating and to quote Joyce, they deal with problems, “as a cleaver deals with meat”.
This may be a failing but so long as butchers, pork chops and cleavers remain, so too will the requirement for the whetstone. – Yours, etc,
JONATHAN FARRAR,
Abbeyshrule,
Co Longford.
Pope Francis the timid?
Sir, – Mary MacAleese makes the observation (“Francis was a man of love who took the timid path”, Opinion, April 23) that “The sad reality is that Francis talked a good story for the journalists down the back of the plane”. But otherwise he “took the timid path”.
Presumably the “back of the plane” refers to informal discussions with the press on the many journeys undertaken by the late pope. Perhaps his visit to the Central African Republic is a case in point, where he became the first pope to visit an active war zone
If I were to itemise all the opportunities Pope Francis had to tell these “good stories” while he travelled to East Timor, Papua New Guinea, South Sudan etc my letter would be impossibly long. – Yours, etc,
CATHERINE DURKIN,
Lucan,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – In fairness to Pope Francis the “timid path” referred to in the heading of Mary McAleese’s opinion piece relates, perhaps as a valid critique, to a lack of change in magisterial teaching, and not to all of the praxes in which Francis engaged when pope.
I think Francis showed phenomenal strength and commitment in a lot of what he did, and radical action. That, I think, cannot be denied. And, yes, Ms McAleese is right, that radical structural change is still needed – the rooted doings and beings of things – which is never easy but also painstakingly possible. – Yours, etc,
Dr JAMES FINNEGAN,
Woodland,
Letterkenny,
Co Donegal.
Sir, – I find myself in unusual solidarity with those cardinals who cannot vote to elect a new pope. Their reason for not being able to vote is age and mine is gender. – Yours, etc,
SABINA PURCELL,
Kilmacud,
Co Dublin.
Hotel bedroom tax
Sir, – Here we go again. The outrage expressed by some in the hotel industry and some Dáil deputies about the proposal for a hotel bed night tax in the capital has now become a hardy annual.
When I was on Dublin City Council, I first proposed a hotel bed night tax in the early 1980s and several times since then along with my colleagues in the Labour group. Each time it was unanimously agreed by the council and always met by cries of inability to pay by the hotel industry. Virtually all city hotels in the world charge a bed night tax payable to the local authority. These cities recognise that services have to be provided and funded.
It’s a bit much when we hear TDs and Ministers state that hotels cannot afford to pay this tax. Dublin is one of the most expensive destinations – in terms of hotels – because they charge what the market will bear.
Furthermore, every council decision to implement this tax has been blocked by the Government of the day. – Yours, etc,
MARY FREEHILL,
Dublin 6.
Old wives and the weather
Sir, – Old wives in bygone days used blooming trees as soothsayers. For example, “Ash before Oak, you’re in for a soak” and “Oak before Ash you’re in for a splash”. Now my oaks are busily sprouting leaves but I’ve only naked, skeletal ash offering no response and I’m left pondering whether this summer I’m going to get splashed or soaked. Or will it be just rain between the showers as usual. – Yours, etc,
TOMÁS FINN,
Ballinasloe,
Co Galway.
Naming the new children’s hospital
Sir, – As we continue to reflect on the legacy of the Easter Rising and the broader struggle for Irish independence, it is vital that we recognise the women whose contributions helped shape our nation. Among them stands Dr Kathleen Lynn – physician, revolutionary and pioneer of early paediatric care.
In 2022, the Seanad Independent Group passed a motion to name the new National Children’s Hospital in honour of Dr Lynn, acknowledging her service as Chief Medical Officer in the Irish Citizen Army and her foundational role in establishing St Ultan’s Hospital, which transformed children’s healthcare in Ireland.
At the time, the government’s response was that it was too premature to consider the naming. Now, in 2025, I believe the time has come to honour her appropriately. I urge Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to formally commit to naming the hospital after Dr Kathleen Lynn before its opening.
Dr Lynn, the daughter of a Church of Ireland clergyman, represented both Ireland’s rich diversity and a steadfast commitment to republican ideals. Recognising her legacy not only honours her personal achievements but also serves as a testament to the inclusive foundations of our State. As a member of the Church of Ireland myself, I take particular pride in this shared heritage.
Let us move beyond commemoration into meaningful action. Naming the National Children’s Hospital after Dr Kathleen Lynn would be a powerful and lasting tribute to the diversity on our island. – Yours, etc,
Senator VICTOR BOYHAN,
Leader of the Seanad Independent Group,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2.
`Horrid Nice`
Sir, – Overheard in a shopping queue in a midland town,
“What’s the new doctor like?”
“Horrid nice,” came the reply!
Dr EDWARD HARTY,
Bealadangan,
Co Galway.
