Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Like the Chairman, I take the opportunity to express solidarity with the Nigerian authorities in dealing with a very difficult situation. The Tánaiste on behalf of the Government and the Irish people condemned in the strongest possible terms the frequency and spread of terrorist attacks and violent activities. Naturally, the authorities must take all steps to protect their citizens and maintain law and order.

The ambassador mentioned that 12,000 lives had been lost in the insurgency. I presume that is in the period 2009 to 2014. If that is correct, it brings me on to a report from Amnesty International which estimated that 1,500 people were killed in northern Nigeria between January and March of this year. If those figures are correct, they demonstrate a very significant intensification of murder and loss of life which must be the source of serious concern.

The Chairman referred quite rightly to the abduction of more than 270 schoolchildren. That abduction of innocent young people strikes a chord with all who believe in civilisation and basic human rights. With regard to the special summit on security that was hosted by the President of France on 17 May 2014 and the decisions and recommendations reached, does the ambassador consider that the necessary actions which have been agreed will be implemented with the urgency required? We are dealing with a very difficult situation.

Can the ambassador let us know with what other international terrorist organisations Boko Haram has an association?