asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will clarify the situation which has arisen following the circulation by the Philippine Consulate General in Ireland of a document to Dáil Deputies and the media in recent times making allegations against the Filipino-Irish Group; if he will arrange for a clarification to be issued, in view of the immense damage that may be done to an organisation that has consistently campaigned on behalf of human rights for lawyers, social workers, trade unionists, political leaders, individuals and families in the Philippines.

32.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the views expressed by the Philippine Honorary Consul (details supplied) in a media report alleging that members of the Filipino-Irish Group are part of a communist insurgency are shared by the Government.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 32 together. I have seen the article to which the Deputies refer concerning the National Democratic Front and the Filipino-Irish Group. These are the views of the Honorary Consul of the Philippines and do not engage the Government in any way.

Ireland together with the other member states of the European Community have expressed our full support for President Aquino, for constitutional democracy in the Philippines and for its duly elected representatives.

On behalf of Deputy Higgins and the Labour Party I welcome the Minister's reply. Would he consider it in order that he should draw to the attention of the Philippine Government his remarks and the statements which were apparently made on their behalf through the Honorary Consul?

I take the Deputy's suggestion and I propose to do just that.

We now proceed to Priority Questions.