Vol. 574 No. 1
480 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposals he has to introduce legislation in regard to female genital mutilation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26470/03]
Female circumcision or female genital mutilation, FGM, is a harmful traditional practice which continues in some developing countries. It constitutes in my view an assault that causes serious harm to girls and women on whom it is carried out. It is also my view that such an act is already an offence under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. It would, therefore, be a matter for the Garda Síochána to prosecute those who perform FGM.
