Debate contribution: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill: Second Stage

Debate contribution by Mr Eóin Tennyson on 28 September 2026.

MLA: Mr Eóin Tennyson
Party at the time: Alliance Party
Date: 28 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5762957

Text

I thank the Minister for giving way. The Minister and I have talked at length about clause 4 and the clarity that can be provided for parents and all of those things. However, even taking the Minister's interpretation of clause 4 as written, there is clearly an overriding intent around the child's welfare — I do not think that that could be disputed by Members of the House — where the parent is saying, "Take your time, slow down, these are big decisions". Under the intent test in the Bill, where there is consideration given to both what the victim considers their gender identity to be and what the parent considers it to be, the parent would have to consider that the child is transgender in order to act with deliberate intent. The intent test alone has safeguards even under the Minister's interpretation of the Bill, which, he knows, I disagree with. There are protections there. I understand the concerns that the Minister has raised about the Bill, but there are clear protections there.

174 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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