On Thursday, 18 January 2024, LGBT Ireland launched a new report on the Government’s National LGBTI+ Strategy at the offices of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. The title of the report is ‘Progress Made. Renewed Efforts Required.’
The report grades the Government’s effort at implementing the 108 actions in the strategy over the last four years. These scores ranged from A – F. The overall score, an average of the actions and outcomes, is a C+.
Pádraig Rice, Policy and Research Manager with LGBT Ireland, said: “The formation of the first National LGBTI+ Strategy was a milestone moment for Ireland’s LGBTI+ community. For the first time, there was a coordinated, cross-departmental plan to respond to the unique needs and challenges of the entire LGBTI+ community.
“The shadow report we are launching today measures and evaluates the impact of the Strategy from a community perspective. After wide consultation and examination, we have given the Government a C+. A lot of progress has been made but a renewed effort is now required to fulfil the outstanding actions and to address new challenges.
“The analysis of the report highlights the success of the public consultation that was undertaken in advance of the Strategy formation. However, it also notes some of the structural flaws, including how some actions were not specific, concrete or measurable.
“The report concludes with ten recommendations. At the top of the list is our call for a second National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy that takes a whole-life approach and is informed by research, public consultation and international best practice.
“Ireland is currently ranked 16th in Europe in terms of LGBTI+ human rights and policy protections. We want Ireland to be number one on that list but to get there, we will need to see significant progress across a range of areas, including hate crime legislation, assisted human reproduction, banning conversion therapy and advancing outcomes for trans, non-binary and intersex people.”
“By working together, with renewed energy and effort, we can reach the collective goal of making Ireland the best place in Europe to be LGBTI+.”
You can find a summary of the report here: Brief Summary Shadow Report Final
Or read the full report in our publications section: https://lgbt.ie/publications/