Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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500. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the European Union and the United Nations continue to focus on the activities of Boko Haram with a view to bringing all possible peaceful influence to bear on the situation in Nigeria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45680/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Ireland, along with our EU and UN partners, has consistently condemned the brutal activities of Boko Haram which represent a serious threat to the peace and security of Nigeria, and 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.

EU Foreign Ministers adopted detailed Conclusions last February, condemning the appalling atrocities committed by Boko Haram and confirming the EU’s readiness to provide support to the region with its full range of instruments. Since then, an EU Political Framework for Crisis Approach for Boko Haram has been developed, and EU support of up to €50 million for a Multinational Joint Taskforce has recently been approved. The Multinational Joint Taskforce, which involves troops from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin, aims to protect innocent people and to prevent the further spread of Boko Haram terrorism. The EU and UN have strongly commended this regional approach.

The EU has pledged to continue providing immediate humanitarian relief to those affected by Boko Haram activities and to increase its efforts at a regional level, mobilising €21 million in humanitarian funding last June for the four countries concerned. Ireland is also providing direct support of nearly €1.4 million this year to address the humanitarian needs of those affected by Boko Haram terrorism, including Nigerian refugees in Northern Cameroon.

The situation has also been discussed at the UN. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights convened a meeting on the issue on 30 June and a Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Boko Haram was held to on 1 April. At these meetings, Ireland highlighted the terrible human rights and humanitarian impact of the terrorist violence. In July, the UN Security Council adopted a Presidential Statement expressing again its concern at the continued threat posed to international peace and security by Boko Haram, and encouraged increased regional cooperation to stamp out the terrorist group.