Dáil holds minute’s silence for lives lost in Baghdad bombing

A minute’s silence was observed in the Dáil as a mark of respect for those who died in the suicide bombing in Iraq on Sunday.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams offered his sympathies in the wake of the bombing in the business district of Baghdad in which at least 175 people were killed.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin asked whether Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan was in a position to drive additional funding for humanitarian assistance to non-governmental organisations in the region.

He expressed concern about the scale of the random attacks across the globe by Islamic State, also known as Isis, and said they needed to be mindful of it along with other EU member states.

Last week the Dáil observed a minute’s silence in tribute to those killed in the bombing in Istanbul, Turkey.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny expressed his condolences and concern “at the slaughter of people” in Iraq.

He said he was sure that the Department of Foreign Affairs had considered the issue of humanitarian assistance but he would advise Mr Martin of the situation.