Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 10: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has taken up the issue of the refusal of entry to the Philippines of a catholic priest (details supplied). [4331/07]

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the blacklisting by the Government of the Philippines of international human rights lawyers including Irish human rights scholars who have been studying the impact of foreign mining companies on the Philippine environment and affected communities. [4332/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 95 together.

My Department initially became aware of the case the Deputy is referring to through reports in the media, but the priest referred to has written to me in recent days, and I have instructed the Department to pursue the issues involved.

Our Ambassador in Singapore, who is also accredited to the Philippines, has now raised the matter directly with the local EU Presidency in Manila, with a view to the Presidency raising it at an early meeting with the Philippine Authorities. The Ambassador has likewise conveyed our concerns directly to the Philippine authorities, through their Ambassador in Singapore, and has also been in contact with the Columban community in Manila.

While it remains the right of the legal authorities of any country to decide to permit or refuse entry to foreign nationals, a number of aspects of this case are of serious concern. The individual referred to in the Deputy's question has expressed the view that this incident relates to his work on a report, prepared at the express request of the Philippine Conference of Catholic Bishops, on the human and environmental impact of the mining industry in the Philippines. I understand that another member of the team working on the report was also prevented from entering the Philippines in December. I would, of course, be very concerned at any efforts by the Philippines authorities to seek to limit in any way the legitimate work of human rights advocates.

I intend that this issue will continue to be pursued actively with the Authorities in the Philippines.