Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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174. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community remains totally united in efforts to curtail the activities of ISIS/al-Qaeda and their associates; the extent to which particular jurisdictions harbour or assist such persons carrying out atrocities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3245/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I participated in the discussions on Counter-Terrorism at the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in Brussels on 19 January, following the brutal murders in France and the violence in Belgium.

Together with my colleagues, we re-affirmed the EU’s commitment to preventing and combating terrorism and discussed how our collective efforts, within the EU and in partnership with third countries and organisations in the Middle East and elsewhere, could be strengthened.

Recognising that the increasingly complex nature of the terrorist threat requires complementary internal and external strategies, our discussion focused in particular on how foreign policy initiatives can complement action being taken by Justice Ministers.

At EU level, the need for the European Parliament to expedite approval of the Directive on Passenger Name Records was emphasized. Foreign Ministers agreed to enhance the EU's activities outside of Europe, including through improving our communication efforts, and to place experts in key EU embassies to work on counter terrorism. The EU will henceforth focus its efforts on a small number of key countries and on working with regional groupings, including the League of Arab States and the Islamic Conference. It was also acknowledged that greater EU engagement in resolving crises in the Middle East and arising from the spread of Boko Haram in Africa could contribute to the Counter Terrorism effort.

It was also agreed that an overview of the EU Counter Terrorism and Foreign Fighters Strategy for Syria and Iraq would be published. This strategy had been approved by the FAC in October 2014.

In the course of our discussions I highlighted Ireland’s support for a comprehensive, human rights compliant approach to countering terrorism. An effective approach requires actions such as tackling root causes, outreach to vulnerable communities, promoting a counter narrative, while at the same time necessarily strengthening legal and security measures.

These measures at EU level are consistent with the approach set out in UN Security Council Resolution 2178 (2014) which 104 States, including Ireland, co-sponsored last September in New York.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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175. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community/African Union is committed to combatting the activities of Boko Haram with particular reference to the continued kidnapping, imprisonment and abuse of a physical and sexual nature of girls and women throughout the continent of Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3246/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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176. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the international community can take any action to restrict/impede the progress of Boko Haram and like organisations from pursuit of their policies of imprisonment and abuse of women and children; if means may be found to restrict their access to funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3247/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 176 together.

I have strongly condemned the appalling acts of violence being perpetrated in Nigeria and the neighbouring region by the terrorist group Boko Haram. These include the recent killings of a large number of civilians in an attack in the north-eastern state of Borno, and the kidnappings in recent days in Cameroon. I am appalled by reports of the use of innocent young children to carry primed explosives. I have previously also condemned the abduction of more than 200 young girls from a school in the town of Chibok. Violence against women and children is particularly reprehensible.

The recent attacks have been widely condemned by the international community, including by the EU, the UN and the African Union. The UN Secretary General has pledged assistance to the Nigerian Government and affected neighbouring States in order to bring an end to the violence. The African Union has underlined its full solidarity with the people and Government of Nigeria and reiterated its commitment to continue working with Nigeria and other countries in the region to combat Boko Haram. In this context, I welcome the recently enhanced collaboration between Nigeria and its neighbours, Cameroon, Chad and Niger, including a regional security conference which was held in Niamey, Niger, earlier this week, with the participation of the EU.

Last May, the UN Security Council Al Qaida Sanctions Committee added Boko Haram to its sanctions and arms embargo list. This requires that all States freeze without delay the funds and other financial assets or economic resources of Boko Haram, as well as ensure that neither these, nor any other funds, are made available, directly or indirectly, to the organisation by their nationals or by persons within their territory.

At the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday, Ministers endorsed a statement made on behalf of the European Union by the High Representative, Federica Mogherini, condemning the recent attacks. I fully support the commitment given by the High Representative that the EU will continue to provide a comprehensive range of political, counter-terrorism and development support measures to Nigeria and its neighbours, while also continuing to disburse humanitarian assistance to the populations affected by the crisis. The Foreign Affairs Council will hold a further discussion on the security situation in Nigeria on 9 February.