Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
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I join with colleagues in welcoming the ambassador. I extend sympathy through the ambassador to the people of Nigeria who have lost their lives in such violent circumstances. We all want to contribute to a solution.

I apologise for missing the early part of the presentation. I see that significant emphasis was placed on a programme to counter violent extremism and use community engagement to bring about de-radicalisation. I would have expected to see the addressing of human rights issues, as outlined by Senator Norris and Deputy Halligan in particular. Surely that is an issue that must be addressed if community engagement and respect are to be built. The treatment of gay, lesbian and transgender people in 2015, as we understand it to be happening in Nigeria, is not acceptable. If the government wishes to win international support for its efforts to defeat terrorism, this is an issue that must be at the top of the agenda and addressed as a matter of urgency.

I note that the EU High Representative, Federica Mogherini, said in a statement on 19 January that only intensive regional co-operation between Nigeria’s neighbours can generate the local leadership necessary to bring about a durable solution. She welcomed the fact that a meeting was taking place in Niamey in Niger on 20 January to discuss the threat from Boko Haram. Has anything positive emerged from the meeting or is the ambassador aware of any significant developments that might emerge from it in terms of future developments between Nigeria and its neighbours?

How confident is the ambassador that the elections will be fair and free, and that there will not be significant violent incidents during the course of the 2015 elections? Does the ambassador consider the efforts that are being made to contain the conflict in the north east and to ensure that elections are held in all states, particularly by strengthening security services, will be successful? How confident is the ambassador that the heads of the police force and other security agencies will act lawfully in the run-up to the elections and that all candidates and parties will be treated fairly?