The Minister for Foreign Affairs has said the possible introduction of restrictions by Belarus authorities on travel abroad by children for rest and recuperation is an issue of utmost concern.
Dermot Ahern was responding to indications from the Belarus government that they plan to tighten up regulations on foreign adoption, and the travel of children suffering from the effects of the Chernobyl disaster.
Ireland has a long association with the child victims of Chernobyl.
The Chernobyl Children's Project was established in 1991 to take children out of the contaminated zone in order to give their immune systems a break, and to provide them with any medical treatment they may need.
Since then over 10,000 children have come to Ireland on recuperative holidays.
Mr Ahern raised the issue of Belarus travel restrictions with his EU counterparts in Brussels on Monday. And last night he issued a statement saying that the issue is a priority for the Irish Government.
The minister, whose own family has hosted visits from Belarus children, said that the Government would pursue the matter through all the appropriate channels.
The International Adoption Association is advising people who are waiting or hoping to adopt children from Belarus to identify other countries from which to adopt children.
