Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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194. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which he and his colleagues at European Union and United Nations level continue to focus on the activities of Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, with particular reference to the degree to which the principles of democracy continue to be ignored and the extent to which arbitrary executions, the persecution of Christians, kidnapping, trafficking and abuse of women and girls continues unabated; if the international community has taken any action to address these issues in an effective way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15265/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The brutal activities of Boko Haram continue to represent a serious threat to the peace and security of Nigeria, but also the wider region, including Cameroon, Chad and Niger. They also involve the clear and persistent abuse of human rights, especially of women and girls, and a direct threat to education and education facilities. The abduction just over a year ago of more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok appalled the world. It has been only one of a number of attacks on defenceless young people, and it still requires an adequate response. I once again urge the Government of Nigeria to commit the necessary resources to finding the girls and returning them to their families and their education.

Ireland has consistently condemned the acts of violence being perpetrated by Boko Haram. Most recently, at a Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 1 April, we highlighted in particular the terrible human rights and humanitarian impact of the terrorist violence. The extent of the humanitarian crisis has also been emphasised by EU Foreign Affairs Ministers, most recently at the Foreign Affairs Council on 9 February. The EU has pledged to continue providing immediate relief to those in need and to increase our efforts at regional level. Ireland has recently provided some €1 million in humanitarian stocks to the NGO, Plan, for Nigerian refugees fleeing Boko Haram who are living in camps in northern Cameroon. The recent military success in pushing Boko Haram back from major towns in north-eastern Nigeria provides an opportunity to bring the conflict to an end. It is critically important that the recently-established Multinational Joint Taskforce of troops from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin continues its efforts to protect innocent people and to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists.

Ireland has joined with our EU partners in congratulating the Nigerian people on the conduct of peaceful national elections in recent weeks. I also welcome the commitment by President-elect Buhari to prioritise the ending of the conflict in the north east and the terrorist actions of Boko Haram.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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195. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the escalation of the crisis in Yemen and the Saudi military intervention there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15176/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The EU Foreign Affairs Council considered the situation in Yemen at its meeting in Luxembourg yesterday. At this meeting, I participated in a discussion of the deepening crisis in Yemen with my fellow Ministers and with High Representative Mogherini. At this meeting, conclusions were adopted which set out the EU position in full. In recent weeks, a coalition of states led by Saudi Arabia has launched airstrikes in response to advances by Houthi forces and following an invitation from President Hadi. Last week, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called for all parties to scrupulously respect international human rights and international humanitarian law during the conduct of hostilities. I hope that all parties involved in the conflict in Yemen answer this call.

My view is that peace talks are the optimum way to achieve a political consensus which can restore order to Yemen and avoid a protracted and sectarian conflict with implications for the future of Yemen and for the stability of the region. I would encourage all parties to engage with UN Special Adviser Jamal Benomar to this end, so that a ceasefire can be agreed and a negotiated political solution found.

Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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196. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position on the status of Balochistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15185/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I take it that the Deputy is referring to the Balochistan province of Pakistan, and will reply on that basis. I am conscious that Balochistan, which has the largest land area of Pakistan’s four provinces, is one of the poorest regions of Pakistan and has witnessed armed conflict. The Government does not consider that the problems of Balochistan can be resolved through violence and we support all efforts to reach a generally acceptable solution through peaceful negotiations and political processes.