Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank all those who have spoken for their excellent presentations. We have received a good overview of the work being done on the monitoring plan for Resolution 1325.

I have a specific question for Ms Mbugua to whom I should say "Thank you" for the mention in connection with the Female Genital Mutilation Bill 2010. In fact, I have two questions, the first of which is on awareness-raising of what is now the Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Act 2012. I attended the opening of the Irish Family Planning Association's one-stop clinic which it is running with the HSE for women who have experienced female genital mutilation and it is a positive step forward. What specifically should be done to raise awareness among women who may have been victims of female genital mutilation and to ensure there will be greater awareness of the legislation to criminalise it?

My second question is to Commandant Jayne Lawlor whom I thank for the excellent presentation on the impressive work being done in the Defence Forces. I am conscious that, traditionally, there have been low numbers of women recruited to the Defence Forces, as she stated. As a result, is it too soon to see an increase in the numbers of women coming forward? What proportion of new recruits are women?