Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

This issue was raised on Committee Stage. There is obviously a legal argument being brought forward by the Minister using the Attorney General's advice. It is one matter to put a provision into statute. The other matter is the symbolic sending of a message. We must be very clear with this legislation to send out the particular message in the event of people carrying out FGM abroad that they would be automatically debarred from re-entering the country and lose an entitlement to a work or residency permit.

While the legislation is welcome, I am concerned when we talk of criminality, we forget there are victims in FGM. We must say to these victims they should feel in no way that they had been involved in anything other than they are victims. A strong signal should be sent out to residents from abroad who have suffered FGM and who may not be familiar with our culture or our medical supports, that they are victims and supports are available to them.

While education and supports from voluntary organisations which support our migrant community are in place against FGM, there must also be a strong emphasis through GPs based in areas where there may be clusters of victims of FGM. I am concerned some of the victims may feel stigmatised by us describing it as a criminal act, feeling they were in some way involved in a crime when they were not. The last thing we need is for young girls who have difficulties with menstruation or intercourse feeling they are incapable of getting assistance because of the crime perpetrated on them.

We must say to Irish residents who go to other states to perpetrate this crime that while the legislation cannot deal with them, it could debar them from re-entry or militate against their access to a work or residency permit. Will the Minister bring some clarity to the issue?

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