asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the Government are concerned by the allegations of intimidation and vote-rigging made against the Marcos Government in the Philippines in the present election and, if so, whether they have communicated that concern to the American Government which have supported the holding of the election.

Of course we would be concerned at any such allegations but as the elections will not be held until tomorrow, 7 February, it is premature to speak of intimidation and vote-rigging. What we can say at this stage is that we hope the elections will be in order from a legal and constitutional point of view. This has already been communicated by the member states of the European Community to the Philippine authorities, the appropriate address for such concern, and was made public on 30 December 1985.

Have the Government been asked to name somebody to oversee the elections?

No, the Government were not asked.

Was this matter discussed by the Minister at the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers? Is he aware that representatives of other member states have been sent to the Philippines?

I know some member states have been invited to send observers. That was discussed and it was agreed that they would go, but the Irish Government were not asked to send anybody, even though, as the Deputy may know, Mr. John Hume is out there as an observer.

Who issued the invitation to the Minister's colleagues on the Council of Ministers?

I presume the Philippine Government, but I am not sure of that because it did not come formally before the Council as an invitation to Council members. It came to individual Governments who are members of the Council.

Is the Minister serious when he says the invitation came from the Marcos Government?

I do not know, but it would have been normal for the host country to issue such an invitation.

It is hardly likely that Marcos would have sent invitations.

Perhaps the Deputy is right.