Simon Harris, the health minister, will discuss the adoption of international standards with trans activist groups

The government is considering dropping a requirement for some transgender people to have a psychiatric assessment before they can obtain hormone treatment.

Simon Harris, the health minister, will meet with trans activist groups over the next two months to examine ways in which the health service can adopt international standards.

The HSE requires transgender people first to visit a GP and a mental health professional to get a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. Patients must have a “robust diagnosis” before they can start hormone treatment.

In Ireland only two endocrinologists provide hormone therapy, which means that transgender people can have to wait two years before being assessed. Instead some have chosen to get treatment abroad or have tried to order hormones online.

Last month the World