Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The issue I wish to raise has been raised by Senators van Turnhout, Naughton and Leyden, namely, the kidnapping of the girls by the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram. I do not know how we can keep this issue on the agenda other than by raising it in this House. There was a rally this morning at the Nigerian Embassy from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is important to try to make an input. I am aware that President Barack Obama announced this morning that he will deploy satellite technology to find the location of the girls. We should call on NASA and anybody else with the technology to use it. If girls were kidnapped in a European country, the matter would be high on the agenda. It is time to use all the available technology for tracking people. I do not think it is beyond the realms of possibility that this technology should be used. Another nine girls were kidnapped last night. Boko Haram is bold and brazen enough to state it has sold some of the girls it kidnapped into early marriages. We need to keep the kidnapped young girls on the agenda.

Water is important to everybody and Senator Bacik has outlined what has been done - and I am not going to repeat it - for the groups that cannot afford water charges.

I wish to mention the opening of the clinic for victims of female genital mutilation because my maiden speech here was on the subject. I welcome the initiative. I congratulate Senator Bacik on the work that she has done on the issue, on the Bill she brought through and on the opening of the clinic this morning.