Sir, - All societies have certain socially accepted norms of behaviour based on culture, age, gender, religion and so on. These could be referred to as traditional practices, most of which are beneficial, positive and to be celebrated. However, one deeply-rooted traditional practice that has severe health consequences (physical and psychological) for girls and women is female genital mutilation.The practice is not based on the intention to harm, but the outcome of the practice is extremely harmful. We welcome the recent Private Members' Bill on the prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) proposed by Liz McManus TD, and reported in your edition of March 8th. However, we have concerns that legislation may be enacted without due consideration to the sensitivities of this complex subject.While supporting a worldwide ban of FGM, we would encourage more debate before criminalizing this practice. Legislation has been in place in Britain since 1985 without any convictions. In Britain, the practice of FGM continues, and legislation without appropriate sensitisation has in fact pushed the practice deeper underground.To avoid similar happenings in this country we need to complement the legislation with an education programme for those ethnic groups following this practice, and for health professionals working with them. Particular areas within the Bill that require clarification are the extraterritorial reach of the proposed legislation and the powers of intervention for health boards to protect children at risk from FGM (this particularly refers to taking children to their countries of origin on holidays to have FGM).The proposed punishment as a result of conviction for performing FGM ranges from a monetary fine to 10 years' imprisonment. FGM is equivalent to a serious assault and the law should treat the perpetrator as such. We suggest a comprehensive legal and social approach to address this issue. FGM should be incorporated into the new health strategy document as it needs to be addressed at policy level. - Yours, etc.,Majella Darcy, Ros O'Loughlin, and Jean Long, Comhlamh Health and Development Group, Camden Street, Dublin 2.