asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations he has made, or plans to make, to the Chilean Government concerning the recent explusion from that country of two Irish priests.
Written Answers. - Explusion of Priests from Chile.
346.
I issued a statement on 16 March in which I made clear the deep concern of the Irish Government at the expulsion orders made against Fathers Mac Gillicuddy and Forde and indicated that I had instructed the Irish Ambassador at the UN to convey this concern to his Chilean counterpart, and to request that the Chilean authorities reconsider their decision. This request was conveyed to the Chilean Representative to the UN in New York on 16 March when our Ambassador also particularly stressed the strong public feeling in Ireland on this issue. Despite our representations, Fathers Forde and MacGillicuddy were nevertheless expelled by the Chilean authorities.