The Executive Office in Northern Ireland has refused to disclose the evidence that was considered ahead of introducing a puberty blocker ban in August. A freedom of information request submitted by Belfast Live was rejected on the grounds that it “has the potential to damage the concept of collective responsibility” and would “inhibit Ministers’ ability to consider difficult policy issues with candour”.

While the Executive Office acknowledged that disclosing the documents would “provide greater transparency, accountability and openness surrounding the operation of Government…possibly serving to increase the understanding and trust the public may have in the operation of the Executive Committee,” it added that “frank and honest debate is a key component of high-quality policy formulation and there is a public interest, in appropriate situations, in maintaining a private space for discussion away from public scrutiny to effectively formulate and develop policy.”

This comes after the First and Deputy First Minister signed off on a temporary puberty blocker ban, as requested by the Department of Health, via emergency procedure and therefore without Executive approval.

A similar request for the evidence considered was sent to the Health Minister and refused.

“The Department of Health in Northern Ireland is continuing to work with the Department of Health and Social Care in England and other devolved administrations to develop proposals for permanent solutions that ensure prescribing of these medicines is consistent with the recommendations set out in the Cass Review,” the Department of Health’s response reads.

“Given this to be the case we consider that the policy is still in development and we feel it would be inappropriate and misleading to disclose incomplete policy information which is still under consideration and still in development as this could have a negative impact on public perception and, subsequently, an adverse effect on the overall policy development process. In addition, disclosure of this information may lead to hesitancy in open and frank discussions with stakeholders in respect of the development of future policy options.

“In considering all of the above factors, it has been decided that the balance of public interest falls in favour of withholding the information sought and maintaining the exemption of non-disclosure of the information requested,” the statement concludes.

The decision to ban puberty blockers was made without consultation with trans youth, and now @niexecutive are refusing to share the advice that justified it.

The First Ministers have questions to answer, but are choosing to keep their heads in the sand.https://t.co/TLVsPMPwel

— The Rainbow Project (@TRPNI) September 17, 2024

The puberty blocker ban has been in effect in Northern Ireland since August 27, prohibiting “the sale or supply of these drugs, prescribed by private UK-registered prescribers for gender incongruence or dysphoria to under 18s not already taking them. It also prevents the sale and supply of the medicines from prescribers registered in the European Economic Area or Switzerland for any purposes to those under 18.”

It comes despite research demonstrating that puberty blockers are a generally safe, effective and reversible form of gender-affirming care.