Minister for Foreign Affairs Welcomes Agreement on Chernobyl Children

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheál Martin, has warmly welcomed the agreement reached today between Ireland and Belarus on future rest and recuperation visits for children affected by the Chernobyl disaster.  The Minister said:

“I have just heard from our negotiating team that an agreement has been concluded.  Both sides agree that it should be signed as soon as possible and in any event before the first group of children due to travel to Ireland for Christmas depart Belarus.  The Agreement will allow for the unrestricted continuation of visits by all children under 18, and will in the short term allow Christmas visits to proceed.  I know that this news will come as a great relief to the many Irish families which welcome Chernobyl children to their homes every year and also to the NGOs which do such important work and whose role is recognised in the Agreement.”

**ENDS**
8th December 2008
Press Office