Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not have any questions. I thank the witnesses for their presentations. They have not told us anything we did not know but it is very depressing to hear so many of them making the same presentation. I am sure that all of us feel that we are already doing what the witnesses are asking us to do, to the utmost extent of our ability. Nothing is new in what the witnesses have said but it has come into very sharp focus with the rise of ISIS at the moment and the horrendous situation, particularly for people in Syria and Iraq who are living in areas dominated by ISIS. In Nigeria, Christian girls have been abducted, and women are particularly vulnerable. The witnesses have probably read that recently, over 230 women and children have been rescued - not the Christian student girls - and of those, 214 had been raped and were pregnant as a result of rape. That demonstrates the absolute savagery involved and that it has been done in the name of religion is an affront in itself. What can be done? We have had the ambassadors in. We have put it to them and there has been total denial that anything untoward is happening. I think my colleagues will agree. If we mention human rights and persecution, they will say it is not happening. They are in complete denial.

I do not believe that the Minister would have a problem with making a major speech but I think to make any progress it is necessary to try to initiate talks on peace and stability in these countries. The only way that we can have an input is through our role in the EU and through the UN. That is the only prospect of progress. In conclusion, all I can say is that we have heard what the witnesses have said and we will do everything we can as a committee and as a country to raise awareness about these issues to the extent that we can embarrass the countries that allow such things to happen within their borders.