Ireland agrees deal on Chernobyl visits

Updated: 12:16, Tuesday, 9 December 2008

Ireland has signed up to a deal to end the travel ban on children affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

1 of 1 Chernobyl visits Ireland is first to agree deal since ban
Chernobyl visits
Ireland is first to agree deal since ban

Hundreds of children have been brought to Ireland for holidays every Christmas since the early 1990s, but authorities in Belarus imposed a ban on these visits during the summer.

The Government reached an agreement with its counterpart in Belarus yesterday. A memo of understanding will be signed by both sides on 21 December which will ensure that the children of Chernobyl can visit Ireland into the future.

Campaigner Adi Roche says Ireland is the first country to make a deal since the ban was introduced.

It will mean 200 children will be able to visit here this Christmas. As many as 2,500 children from Chernobyl visit Ireland every year.

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