COUNTY Limerick politician Richard O’Donoghue was referred to as a “gobsh*te” in the Dáil during a motion on trans healthcare.
The Labour Party called for improvements in trans healthcare and gender affirming care in Ireland, which it said should be provided in primary care settings.
Labour’s health spokesperson Marie Sherlock said the government must act immediately to reform trans healthcare in Ireland, claiming that the current National Gender Service (NGS) system is failing vulnerable people, with wait times of more than four years, no adolescent service, and no recruitment in five years.
Independent Ireland TD Richard O’Donoghue hit out that he has previously been heckled in the Oireachtas and accused of being “anti-gay”.
Limerick Labour TD Conor Sheehan fired back: “That is our understanding.”
Deputy O’Donoghue accused Deputy Sheehan of putting Limerick people down and said he was “going to talk to you as a parent”.
“I am going to put something very clear to you: I am a parent and a grandparent. I have a son who is gay. None of you ever said to me, ‘Gee, Richard, we did not know that.’ You do not know me, but you make assumptions about people.
“The one thing I will do for anyone, whether they are up in the gallery or not, whether I agree with them or not, is respect and help them every bit I can,” he said.
Deputy O’Donoghue went on to say that it is his opinion that there are an awful lot of people out there who are scared and lack understanding.
“The world is changing. Friends of mine are gay, friends of mine are lesbian, and friends of mine are transgender. Friends of mine are scared because their children are coming up. My job here is to help them regardless of whether I agree with them or not. The job of doctors is to help people whether they agree with them or not. Education on this is key.”
According to the County Limerick politician, many in the Dáil come in and say something just for a headline.
“I say what I feel, being part of me. If members do not agree with it, that is their problem.
“Remember this: I went around to many houses during the election. I went to one house and a person opened the door. They were identifying as a fox. Did I respect them? Did I talk to them? Yes, I did. Did I have to agree with it? No, I did not, but I respected them and spoke to them the same as a human being,” he insisted.
Labour TD Duncan Smith asked Deputy O’Donoghue: “Will the Deputy be voting for the fox-hunting Bill?”
“Sit down and shut your mouth. Gobsh*te,” Deputy Smith added.