I wish to return to what I spoke about in my maiden speech in the Seanad, namely, Senator Ivana Bacik’s Bill on female genital mutilation. An international survey was published yesterday, the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. I was amazed when I read the report. The survey was commissioned by the women's rights group. I do not know how to properly pronounce the African name.

It is AkiDwA.

It is a Swahili name. The survey has found that Irish GPs do not recognise types of female genital mutilation or, worse still, that they do not know where to refer their victims for care. A total of 218 questionnaires were sent randomly to selected GPs.

It is estimated more than 3,170 migrant women living in Ireland are victims of the practice. A total of 218 questionnaires were sent to GPs and 64 responded, indicating that 98% had heard of female genital mutilation, 79% did not know how to identify it and 65% said they were unable to identify the symptoms. When a person goes for health care, the least he or she should expect is that the GP would recognise a problem. It is pointed out that 19% of GPs had met victims, and all GPs who responded said they would not know where to refer victims for support. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Health to prepare an educational leaflet for GPs as a starting point? There should be awareness among GPs and they should know where to refer people. This issue must be brought to the fore, particularly in the light of Senator Ivana Bacik's Bill on the issue.