Question:
143 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans to bring forward proposals to ban the practice of female genital mutilation and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7875/01]
Written Answers. - Female Mutilation.
Female circumcision, or female genital mutilation, is a harmful traditional practice which continues in some developing countries. It constitutes, in my view, an assault which causes serious harm to girls and women on whom it is carried out. It is also my view that such an act is an offence under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. Accordingly the introduction of specific legislation on this issue is not considered necessary at this time.