Vol. 533 No. 6
368 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to any incidents of female circumcision and genital mutilation; if any were reported to the Garda Síochána or the social services in the past 12 months; the plans he has, or the steps he has taken, to publicise the fact that such practices are not legal in this society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9565/01]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that no such cases have been reported in the past 12 months. I understand that should a case of female circumcision or genital mutilation be reported to the Garda Síochána, it would be dealt with as a serious assault and would be investigated under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. Furthermore, in accordance with the Children First guidelines, the Garda would notify the local health board.
I am also making arrangements through the Reception and Integration Agency, formerly the Directorate of Asylum Support Services, for the issue of information leaflets to make asylum seekers aware of the situation.
