Irish woman Dr. Lydia Foy will be awarded the European Citizen's Prize for 2015 today.

Dr. Foy - a transgender woman who fought for legal changes to be made to gender recognition here - is one of 47 people to win the award this year.

In March 1993 she applied for a new birth certificate to reflect her gender. She was refused and began a 20-year battle to have her birth certificate reflect her gender identity.

The European Parliament is honouring her contribution to promoting better mutual understanding and closer integration between citizens within the EU.

Speaking about the award, the Athy, Co. Kildare dentist said: "I am so happy, honoured and overwhelmed to receive this award. I want to thank the judges and I would particularly like to thank all four Sinn Féin MEPs for nominating me. It is terrific news and I am so delighted."

Lydia Foy was nominated for the prize by Sinn Féin MEPs Martina Anderson, Lynn Boylan, Matt Carthy and Liadh Ní Riada.