John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has signed up to the bilateral agreement on child care requested by the Belarus Government in April 2007; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the delay in signing such an agreement has led to a situation in which children from Chernobyl may not be able to travel here for the Christmas 2008 holiday period; and if he will elaborate on the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45571/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am delighted to be able to inform the Deputy that an Irish delegation, led by Ambassador Justin Harman and comprising officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, travelled to Minsk on Monday and successfully concluded a bilateral Agreement with Belarus on the conditions of rest and recuperation of children from the Republic of Belarus in Ireland. The Agreement will allow for the continuation of visits to Ireland on the existing basis. This follows months of detailed discussions between the two Governments and is a very positive outcome.

In all my contacts with the Belorussian authorities on this matter, most recently in conversation with the Belorussian Foreign Minister, Sergei Martynov, on 28 November, I have repeatedly stressed the importance of ensuring that visits by the children over the forthcoming Christmas period can take place. I am very pleased that this has also been agreed.

I would like to thank all the Irish charities involved for their tremendous and ongoing contribution to assisting Chernobyl children, including their tireless dedication to facilitating visits by Belorussian children to Ireland over the past 17 years. Their hard work has helped build the confidence in Ireland as a destination for the children that has made this outcome possible.