A spokesperson for the Labour Party has distanced the party from comments made by Cllr Colm Keaveney on medical treatment required by people undergoing gender reassignment.

In a telephone call this afternoon the spokesperson said that Cllr. Keaveney’s comments were personal and not in line with party policy, he said that the Labour Party believed that ‘if there is any medical procedure required people are entitled to have it paid for by public funds like any other procedure. ‘

Further clarification is expected shortly from others and TENI may also issue further comments later this week.

Earlier today Sinn Fein issued a press release calling the comments ‘transphobic and wrong’

Deputy Aongus O’Snodaigh said he was ‘baffled as to why he would wish to make a target of an already-marginalised and vulnerable community.

“The HSE’s funding difficulties are not the fault of transgender people – or indeed of any service user. They are the consequence of political decisions made by the Health Minister and the Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government. His comments give credence to their lie that savings must be made in the health service by rationing care. Shame on him for pitting public patients against each other in this way.

Readers may also be interested in a post from Fiona de Londras on the Human Rights in Ireland blog regarding rights perspectives on the comments and issues involved.