Senators have celebrated the passage of Ireland’s revolutionary new Gender Recognition Act – which allows trans people to legally change their gender without seeing a doctor.

The Republic of Ireland currently does not legally recognise transgender people at all – but following a protracted legal battle with Dr Lydia Foy, the government last year committed to passing a trans recognition law.

The Gender Recognition Bill completed its smooth journey through the Irish Parliament yesterday, and will now head to Irish President Michael D Higgins to be signed into law.

Senator Katherine Zappone said: “A round of applause in the Seanad to mark the Gender Recognition Bill 2014 being passed!”

As the bill makes gender recognition statutory, transgender people can gain legal recognition without getting medical treatment.