This Act criminalized female genital mutilation and related offences in Ireland. Section 1 defines female genital mutilation as any act the purpose or effect of which is the excision, infibulation or other mutilation of the whole or any part of the labia majora, labia minora, prepuce of the clitoris, clitoris, or vagina. Section 2 makes this an offence, but lays down certain statutory defences, including where the act committed is a surgical operation performed by a medical practitioner (or in some cases a midwife) where it is necessary for the protection of physical or mental health, or where it is performed in connection with labour or birth. Section 2(3) also explicitly provides that consent is not a defence. Section 3 also makes it an offence to remove or attempt to remove a girl or woman from Ireland where one of the purposes of removal is to subject her to an act of female genital mutilation. Persons convicted of offences under the Act are liable to a term of imprisonment of up to 12 months on summary conviction or to a class A fine, or to up to 14 years’ imprisonment on conviction on indictment.
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