Written answers

Tuesday, 9 December 2008

Department of Foreign Affairs

Visa Applications

10:00 pm

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 306: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in relation to children from Belarus who come here under the Chernobyl children's charity, there is a facility whereby group rather than individual visas for such children can be issued during 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45047/08]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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While visa policy is a matter for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I understand that all visitors to Ireland who require visas must hold individual visas. However, special arrangements have been put in place by the visa office in Moscow on the issuing of visas for Belarusian children who travel to Ireland each year. I am pleased to say that these arrangements are working well.

I am delighted to inform the Deputy that an Irish delegation travelled to Minsk yesterday and successfully concluded a bilateral Agreement between Ireland and Belarus on the conditions of recuperation of children from the Republic of Belarus in Ireland. The Belarusian authorities also agreed that children from Belarus can travel to Ireland over the Christmas period. 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.

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