Holly Cairns (Cork South-West, Social Democrats)
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146. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will consider providing diplomatic assistance or engagement to assist in securing the safe return of children and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic primary and secondary schools in Papiri, Niger State, Nigeria (details supplied); if she could outline any assistance provided to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68599/25]

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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148. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); the diplomatic action that her Department have taken in response of this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68661/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 148 together.

I am deeply concerned by the horrific abduction of children and teachers from St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State in Nigeria on 21 November.  The Government joins all calls for the swift and safe release of the children and staff. We condemn all abductions including others that have taken place in recent weeks in Nigeria.

Many parts of Nigeria, particularly rural and semi-urban areas, do not have a significant police presence, making the task of providing security to populations and coordinating security responses challenging. Ireland, bilaterally and as a Member State of the EU, works with the Nigerian authorities and with UN and international partners to promote peace and security in areas affected by armed groups and insecurity. I understand that all efforts are being made to locate and secure the release of the abducted students and staff of St Mary's School.

The gravity of the recent abduction at St. Mary’s School and the sharp escalation in violent attacks and mass kidnappings in Nigeria over recent weeks have been recognised by the Government of Nigeria. Following President Tinubu’s decision not to attend the G20 and African Union-European Union Summits in order to focus on a response to the security situation, a nationwide security emergency was declared in Nigeria on 26 November and President Tinubu has ordered the recruitment of additional police and army personnel. On 1 December, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser visited St. Mary’s School community and underlined the Nigerian government’s strong commitment to securing the safe return of all abducted students and staff.

Our Ambassador to Nigeria and officials at our Embassy in Abuja, in cooperation with the EU, are monitoring the situation very closely and engaging with Nigerian authorities on developments.  I have also asked our Embassy to keep in contact with the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles, the order managing the school in the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora.  The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is also liaising with the Embassy of Nigeria in Ireland.

Ireland has a long history in Nigeria, not least through the work of many Irish missionaries.  St. Mary's School has close links to Irish missionaries.  Through the Irish Aid programme, Ireland  provides some €2.5 million annually for humanitarian and development projects in Nigeria, implemented by missionaries and other partners on the ground.  We will continue to prioritise the strengthening of peace and security in Nigeria and the broader region, as well as addressing persistent poverty levels. We will also continue work with all relevant partners in the country to support St Mary's School and all those affected by this terrible situation.