Female genital mutilation should be outlawed and perpetrators deported

I WAS horrified to read about the attitude to female genital mutilation here (Irish Examiner, January 15). Does the Government not understand what this barbaric act involves?

It may already be an offence under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, but that’s obviously not being upheld, and the procedure occasionally is fatal anyway. There certainly needs to be an awareness campaign, but that should not delay the provision of specific legislation outlawing it right away.

I saw TV programmes in Britain that were designed to raise awareness of female genital mutilation there. The images of young children being butchered (and their screams) were among the most distressing things I’ve seen. If I had any political say — which I don’t — I would make it a barrier to immigration. Anyone who supports it is obviously at odds with the human rights ethos of the civilised world. Anyone found performing it in this country should be subject to the full force of the law and deported, if applicable.