Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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1181. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions that have been taken by the Irish Government to ensure the release of the Nigerian schoolgirls who were abducted from their school in Chibok, Nigeria in April 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33297/14]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1204. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the schoolgirls abducted in Nigeria (details supplied) in April 2014, most of whom remain in captivity; and his plans to communicate to the relevant diplomatic authorities of Nigeria. [34135/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1181 and 1204 together.

I was appalled by the abduction of more than 200 young girls from a school in the Nigerian town of Chibok in April. The Government strongly condemns these and other similar abductions. We have urged the Nigerian authorities to take all appropriate steps to protect their citizens and to accept international assistance to locate the schoolgirls. We fully support the clear demands of the United Nations Secretary General and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy that the abducted girls are freed and those responsible are brought to justice.

I am also deeply concerned about the ongoing security situation in Northern Nigeria. I welcome the continuing efforts of the EU as well as several individual EU Member States, the UN and the USA to assist the Nigerian authorities in strengthening their capacity to provide security and combat terrorism. The EU is currently funding the provision of technical assistance to the Office of the National Security Advisor of Nigeria to implement and coordinate counter-terrorism legislation and crisis management structures, and to develop capacity to address the problem of increasing radicalisation and recruitment.

The UN Security Council has also underlined the continuing international concern. On 22 May its Al Qaida Sanctions Committee added Boko Haram to the list of individuals and entities subjected to targeted financial sanctions and an arms embargo. Boko Haram was also added by the EU to its list of people and groups covered by the freezing of funds and economic resources with effect from 29 May.

Ireland supports the decisions reached at the Summit on Security in Nigeria held in Paris on 17 May, at which Nigeria and its neighbours committed to intensifying regional and international cooperation to combat Boko Haram terrorism. A follow-up conference was held in Abuja on 3 September. This process brought together Nigeria, its neighbours, the EU and other international partners to discuss regional security cooperation in the fight against Boko Haram. The conference also underlined the importance of creating a secure environment in which the human rights of civilians in affected areas would be promoted and protected.

Our Embassy in Abuja, working locally in cooperation with EU and other key partners, remains in close contact with the Nigerian authorities, which have primary responsibility for securing the safe release of the missing schoolgirls and addressing the broader security situation.

Acts of violence of this nature against schoolchildren are completely unacceptable. Ireland is a strong supporter of the rights of women and girls, and in particular the right of girls to education. We will continue to encourage and support the Nigerian Government in their efforts to locate and free the abducted schoolgirls, to counter radicalisation and terrorism within its borders and to promote full respect for human rights.