Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 78: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on Ireland's relationship with the Philippines. [19360/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The key distinguishing feature of Ireland's bilateral relationship with the Philippines is the extent and contribution of the Filipino Diaspora in Ireland, many of whom are employed in health care roles in HSE hospitals and nursing homes.

For many decades Irish Catholic missionary orders, in particular the Columban Fathers, have worked in educational development and social justice in the Philippines and although the number of Catholic priests and sisters is now in decline and ageing, their contribution to the Philippines has been very significant.

Ireland does not have a resident Embassy in Manila. Our ambassador in Singapore is currently accredited to the Philippines. Ireland does however have a long established honorary consulate in Manila which looks after the consular needs of Irish citizens who are resident or travelling in the Philippines. The embassy of the Philippines in Dublin, established in 2009, will close shortly as part of a global cost cutting campaign being carried out by the Philippines government.

Total merchandise trade with the Philippines in 2011 was valued at €208.8 million (exports were worth €177.7 million and imports were worth €31.1 million). Total trade in services with the Philippines in 2010 was worth €105 million (exports were worth €89 million and imports were worth €16 million). Our embassy in Singapore is currently working with the Department of Agriculture of the Philippines to resolve some outstanding issues arising from a welcome decision in 2011 to remove the prohibition on the importation of Irish beef.

In the context of the meeting of EU and ASEAN foreign ministers in Brunei on 26-28 April, my colleague the Minister of State for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton, hopes to meet with the Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, Albert del Rosario. This will provide a useful and timely opportunity to exchange ideas on a range of issues of mutual interest.