Children from Belarus will continue to spend summer holidays in Galway following an agreement between the governments of both countries after several months of negotiations.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, said the uncertainty that was hanging over future visits by the children had caused great distress both in Belarus, which suffered the worse effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, and to host families throughout County Galway.
“It is a tribute to all who campaigned for an agreement,” the Minister said.
“While children from the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster are welcomed throughout Ireland, I know from the many correspondence I have received on this issue that Galway has a particularly strong link with the region.”
“Thousands of children have been welcomed in both the city and county in recent years and have enjoyed the physical and mental benefits of being taken from a radioactive environment, even if only for a few short weeks.”
“In addition many of the children have been hosted by families in Galway while undergoing medical treatment in Irish hospitals.”
Since September a question mark had been placed over international visits by the children because of concerns in Belarus. An interim agreement did allow Christmas visits, but the new agreement is a permanent arrangement, he sasid.
“I am confident we have met the concerns of the authorities in Minsk. I want to thank all those who campaigned tirelessly on this issue and continue to open their homes to children.”
