asked the Minister for External Affairs if he is aware that many relatives of Irish nationals resident in the Philippine Islands have not received any correspondence for a considerable time on account of the present hostilities; and if, in view of the rumours prevalent that several Irish priests and Christian Brothers have lost their lives, and also with a view to relieving anxiety, he will cause inquiries to be made as to the safety of all Irish nationals in that area; and if he is in a position to make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Safety of Irish Nationals Abroad.
I am aware of the position referred to by the Deputy. My Department is taking all possible steps to obtain news of the Irish citizens who are at present in the Philippine Islands.
Our records, compiled mainly from the replies received to the Press advertisement we inserted in July, 1942, inviting the public to let us have particulars of their relatives and friends in the Far East, contain the names of a total of 84 persons scattered throughout the various islands in the Philippine group. These are mainly priests and nuns, and the majority of them are Irish citizens. In response to specific requests received from their relatives and friends, we have from time to time during the past three years made inquiries in regard to a number of them through the Vatican authorities, the Japanese authorities and the International Red Cross. At the beginning of this month the names and addresses of those appearing on the Department's records were furnished to the American authorities, who have undertaken to obtain up-to-date news for us in regard to the persons concerned. The Deputy will appreciate that, in the prevailing circumstances, inquiries of this kind inevitably take a long time. According as any news is received, however, it will be conveyed immediately to the relatives and friends of the persons concerned.
As regards the rumours to which the Deputy refers, I have seen reports that three Irish Brothers attached to the American Province of the De La Salle Order lost their lives in Manila last month. Urgent inquiries were immediately instituted with a view to verifying the report. The results of these inquiries are not yet available.