Irish Government to ‘advance’ conversion practices ban

The new coalition Government of Ireland has pledged to ‘advance’ a ban on so-called conversion practices.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, supported by members of the Regional Independent Group, made the commitment as part of their Draft Programme for Government 2025.

Last year, the previous Government pushed back its plans for a new law, admitting that the process was fraught with legal difficulties.

‘Inclusivity’ programme

Fianna Fáil’s manifesto promised to “Enact legislation to ban conversion practices that violate individual rights”, while Fine Gael pledged to “Support the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy to 2028”  — which advocates for a new law.

The draft programme, endorsed by both parties this week, commits to “improving the lives and protecting the rights of the LGBTQI+ community in Ireland”.

Among measures set out in pursuit of this goal, the document states that the Government will “Advance legislation to ban conversion practices”.

‘Tricky’

The Christian Institute’s Director Ciarán Kelly said: “The Government has already admitted how tricky it is to draw up a law on conversion therapy.

“Gay and trans people are protected from abuse by existing law, so it’s difficult to see what else you can ban, except legitimate free speech on sexual ethics and gender ideology.

“As other countries are finding, any attempt to legislate in this space is fraught with legal difficulties and human rights challenges. And polling of Irish voters showed this is just not a priority for them — the new Government needs to listen.”

Not a priority

A Government-commissioned study published in 2023 found little or no evidence of so-called conversion therapy in Ireland.

A poll carried out for The Christian Institute in November of that year also showed that Irish voters wanted the Government to focus on healthcare and housing, not a new law on ‘conversion therapy’.

Pollsters Whitestone Insight asked 1,002 voters to select their top policy priorities for the following twelve months out of a list of 17. ‘Healthcare capacity’ (65%), ‘Social housing’ (60%), and ‘Energy security’ (30%) were the top three issues, while ‘banning conversion practices’ was a priority for just 6% of voters.