Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)

I thank the Government for bringing forward this legislation. Most people will be very supportive of it. I also thank Senator Ivana Bacik who has been raising this issue for a considerable time. This affects migrant women and young girls and it is good to see a specific offence being created. It is also very good to see it will be illegal to take a child abroad and return after the procedure has been carried out. It is appalling that the average age of the people affected is between four and 14 years.

The Minister will hear much repetition because we will all reinforce the same points. The Oireachtas Library and Research Service has put together a very good document which many Members will use as well as their notes.

It is extraordinary that it has taken until now to fulfil an international obligation. It is important that we are dealing with it so early in the term of the Government because we cannot be out of line with our European neighbours, including the United Kingdom. The international community generally condemns the practice and as the Minister stated, there are no health benefits whatsoever to the practice and it is very traumatic for the children. I welcome that as a country we are making a statement on this issue.

I have a number of questions. I understand the HSE has put together an action plan or pilot scheme. Has any information been obtained from this? Work has been ongoing on this for the past number of years and it would be quite useful to know how we can be helpful. Deputy Ó Caoláin made the point that we should be sensitive to the type of language used so as not to reinforce a problem which is perceived to be a cultural difference between an African country and a European one. It would be useful to hear from people with direct experience of how we can be helpful in education or in using our role in the World Health Organisation or other such mechanisms to make a difference. It is one thing to introduce legislation but it is another to prevent something from taking place. Female genital mutilation mainly happens in countries outside of Ireland, if not exclusively outside of Ireland, so we will have a limited impact although it is important to make a statement in our own right.

I believe an information pack has been put together and it is important that health care professionals are fully apprised so they can be helpful to people. I believe this is the first time protection will be provided to prevent someone being removed from the State. I have listened to much of what has been stated and I will not go over the same issues. I am very supportive of what has been stated and of the Bill.

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