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

Debate contribution by Mr Eóin Tennyson on 22 September 2026.

MLA: Mr Eóin Tennyson
Party at the time: Alliance Party
Date: 22 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5741123

Text

With respect to the Member, she has not altered her remarks on the back of what I have said. I have given the Member two examples. Indeed, in my opening remarks, I gave an example that involved a therapist sitting down and engaging in pseudoscientific therapy, linking an individual's sexual orientation to the suggestion that their father was absent and did not love them enough in childhood. That is not currently prosecutable under existing law, so, with the greatest respect to the Member, that example has been provided in the debate and demonstrates a gap in the law. Whether the Member views the legislation as proportionate in addressing that gap is absolutely a matter for her, but it is counterfactual to suggest that an example has not been given, as multiple others have been given.

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

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