asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on (a) the departure of Ferdinand Marcos from the Philippines, (b) the relations of the Government with its new President, Mrs. Corazon Aquino and (c) Ireland's trade relations with the Philippines.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Relations with Philippines.
7.
At our meeting in The Hague on 25 February 1986 I, along with my ministerial colleagues of the Twelve, conveyed our congratulations to Mrs. Aquino who has assumed the heavy responsibility of the Presidency of the Philippines.
We welcomed the fact that President Marcos had decided to step down and were confident that this action would contribute to the restoration of democracy in the Philippines and the promotion of national reconciliation.
Since that statement President Aquino has announced her new Government. President Hillery has sent her a message of congratulations, as has the Taoiseach to vice-President Laurel who is Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs in the new Government. During a recent visit to Manila Ireland's Ambassador to the Philippines who is normally resident in Beijing met Mrs. Aquino with other Ambassadors of the Twelve before the collapse of the Marcos regime and again later when she had been proclaimed as President. Now that the Philippines has opened a new chapter, I have no doubt we will continue to have good relations with President Aquino and her Government.
We welcome the release of political prisoners by the new Government and the announcement of the full restoration of the right of habeas corpus, a right which in our view constitutes one of the simplest and most efficient means of preventing human rights abuses.
In 1985 Irish exports to the Philippines were worth £4.7 million and imports were worth £9.2 million giving a balance in the Philippines favour of £4.5 million. The Philippines is 54th on the list of Ireland's export markets according to value. I hope that the present situation in the Philippines will lead to economic improvements which in turn will increase opportunities for our exporters.
Will the Minister agree on the importance of Ireland, as a nation and working through the EC, insisting on a monitoring of the position in the Philippines to ensure that a stable system of guarantees in regard to human rights is established and that the rule of law is clearly seen to be established and implemented? Will the Minister agree that, unless that is done, the situation in the Philippines might degenerate to what existed under President Marcos? Will he agree that it is important that this monitoring is maintained in regard to the Philippines?
The Deputy can take it that Ireland, and other member states, are concerned to watch developments in the Philippines. I do not think anything has occurred since Mrs. Aquino commenced her bid for the presidency or in the attitude of the Philippine people who supported her so strongly in the campaign which would suggest that the practices they found objectionable in the past 20 years will be resumed.