The Northern Ireland Executive has agreed that British rules temporarily banning the supply of puberty blockers to children would be extended to the North. Puberty blockers were strongly criticised in the recent Cass Review.

The Northern Ireland ban, which needed the support of Sinn Féin MLA and First Minister Michelle O’Neill, has led to criticism of the party by some transgender activists.

Charlie Flanagan, a Fine Gael TD and former Justice Minister, said Sinn Féin appeared to be operating a “dual policy” on different sides of the Border. He wants the HSE to discontinue the use of puberty blockers in Ireland.

The UK ban follows the Cass report’s findings that there is not a reliable evidence-base to make clinical decisions about the use of “puberty blockers” to treat gender dysphoria. Dr Hilary Cass concluded that because of the potential risks to patients’ neurocognitive development, psychosexual development and longer-term bone health, these medicines should only be offered under a research protocol.