Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)

I welcome the passage of this legislation. I thank the Minister and his predecessor, Mary Harney, for their co-operation on the Bill, as well as the officials who facilitated our deliberations.

I have had an opportunity while attending an international conference on this issue to speak about the legislation. I explained that we were considering the use of extra-territorial jurisdiction. Few other countries have gone down that road but the Government is to be commended on the approach it has taken. The Members of this House are unanimous in their desire to see this brutal act outlawed not only in Ireland and Europe but internationally. The Council of Europe convention must be implemented internationally to deal with the issue of dual criminality. I hope we can ensure that happens.

I thank the Minister for the clarification he provided on certain aspects of the Bill. I urge him to work with his colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, to ensure that it is clearly understood from an immigration perspective that the practice will not be tolerated. This House has sent a clear message that Ireland will not tolerate it, whether it is performed in this jurisdiction or by those who have a legal right to be in this jurisdiction. I hope the Bill will be dealt with expeditiously by the Seanad and enacted into law before the summer because that is the time of the year when young girls are most at risk. Sadly, a substantial number of people within the African community who come from countries in which this is practised have been affected. Let us hope the next generation of those who are grow up in Ireland will not even know what FGM is.

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