Under the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) – which came into force on September 8, 2015 –Irish trans people over the age of 18 have the ability self-determine their gender identity without necessitating surgical intervention.

Trans people aged 16 or 17 must obtain parental consent, two medical opinions, and a court order before they can acquire legal recognition. People under the age of 16 are not covered by the legislation.

Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) and BeLonG To have both criticised the act for its failure to recognise those under the age of 18.

The GRA includes a provision that requires the government to conduct a two-year review its operations, of which Griffith was appointed chairwomen on November 4.

Young trans & non-binary voices will be heard during the review of the 2015 Gender Recognition Act chaired by @Moninne. pic.twitter.com/1MYcVZcr6u

— BeLonG To (@BeLonG_To) November 3, 2017

“While legal gender recognition is not a magic wand to solve the negative experiences of young trans people in Ireland, in the same way that marriage equality didn’t stop all homophobia, it would however send a strong message to young people that they are believed, respected and equal,” said Griffith, back in 2016.

Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty also announced three members of the GRA group – Sara Phillips, Seamus Byrne and Dr Tanya Ní Mhuirthile, reports the Irish Times. “Moninne Griffith’s professional background and her current work make her an ideal person to chair the Gender Recognition Act review group,”said Doherty.

The review aims to establish whether non-binary people as well as those under 18 could also be allowed to self-determine their gender.

When GRA 2015 was introduced it made Ireland the fourth country in the world to specifically introduce legislation based on self-determination – removing all medical criteria from the legal recognition process.