Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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194. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the attack on a hotel in Bamako in Mali on 20 November 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42042/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I utterly condemn the appalling terror attack on the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako on Friday, reportedly carried out by a group, al-Mourabitoun, in cooperation with al-Qaida. I offer sincere condolences to the families of those who have been killed and wish those injured a full and speedy recovery.

I strongly condemn all the acts of terror which have been perpetrated in Mali this year, including the attack on a restaurant in Bamako in March, in which five people were killed; the attack on UN peacekeepers in April in which three people died; and the attack on a hotel in Sévaré in August, in which up to twelve people lost their lives.

Such senseless acts of violence undermine the significant progress which has been made in Mali through the signature earlier this year of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation.

With our partners in the EU, Ireland has welcomed the signature of this Agreement, which we believe will allow all communities in Mali to unite in fighting terrorism and to live together in peace and security. Provided that all parties stand by their commitments, the Agreement represents the best possible compromise by which a lasting peace in Mali can be secured.

The UN peace-keeping mission, MINUSMA, is also playing a critical role in consolidating peace, security and stability in the country.

All the parties involved in the peace process in Mali have an obligation to ensure that full advantage is taken of the window of opportunity which the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation has presented to them. Above all, the parties must seek to ensure that prospects for the future of Mali are not further darkened by the terror and violence which was witnessed so tragically in Bamako on Friday and which has blighted the country for so long.

Ireland is currently participating in the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) with 10 members of the Defence Forces. We have also deployed a Human Rights and Gender Adviser to the Civilian CSDP Mission, EUCAP Sahel Mali. Since the beginning of last year, we have provided humanitarian funding of over €2 million to the country, and we will continue to monitor developments closely over the coming period.