Peadar Tóibín on gender-neutral toilets controversy: “It’s crackpot ideology – now girls are denied space and privacy in secondary school.”
The Aontú leader asks: “Did anyone ask the parents or the students? This is leading to upset and exclusion. Common sense should prevail.”
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said he understands how parents at a new secondary school are outraged at its unisex toilet block.
The 1,000 student Educate Together school in Dublin’s Harold’s Cross opened this week, with students expected to share facilities.
The Meath West TD said: “Many girls are not using toilets in schools with gender-neutral toilets, because they don’t feel safe and they don’t feel comfortable. There are reports of how they’re holding off, or going home, to avoid using these unisex blocks.
“Most teenagers, if you asked them, would tell you they don’t want to share toilets. It’s the only private space really, for lads and girls, in mixed schools. Now we have another new school just opened, where they’re denied that.
“All this has its basis in gender ideology. It’s being done in the name of inclusivity, but students using the toilets are not consulted on whether they want this or not, and it’s leading to exclusion.
“It’s part of a crackpot ideology that has taken hold in decision-making in government and its departments.
“This is all done in the supposed name of inclusion, but it’s actually excluding many children. The views of young people using the toilets every day, and the views of parents need to be heard.”
He added: “We did a PQ on this just this year, where we asked how many schools now have gender-neutral toilets, and how many schools with such toilet blocks were planned, but the figures were not provided and we were informed the decision is a matter for the individual school.
“But surely those who sign off on this bear in mind the needs and wants of those using the toilets. Can common sense not prevail here?”
