Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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274. To ask the Minister for Health the position in regard to female circumcision in this jurisdiction; the extent to which both parents are required to give consent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32820/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that the Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Act 2011 was signed by the President in April 2011 and commenced on 20^th September 2012. The Act explicitly prohibits Female Genital Mutilation along with related offences, which include removing a girl from the State for the purpose of FGM. A defence of custom or ritual in proceedings is not permitted; neither is a defence that the girl/woman or her parents/guardian consented to FGM. Punishment is up to 14 years imprisonment and/or a fine; for a summary conviction, the penalty is a fine of up to €5,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 12 months or both.