Kilkenny holidays for child victims of the Chernobyl disaster have been secured after months of negotiations between the Government and the Government of Belarus, according to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin.
“The uncertainty that was hanging over future visits by the children caused great distress both in Chernobyl and to host families throughout county Kilkenny and the fact that it has now been removed is a tribute to all who campaigned for an agreement.”
“While children from the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster are welcomed throughout Ireland, I know from the many correspondences I have received on this issue that Kilkenny has a particularly strong link with the region.”
“Thousands of children have been welcomed 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 Kilkenny while undergoing medical treatment in Irish hospitals.”
