Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Martin, today welcomed a historic Inter-governmental Agreement between Ireland and Belarus. Ireland is the first country to break the ban on children's travel by negotiating an Agreement to protect children when travelling abroad.

The story was broken by Chernobyl Children's Project International (CCPI), who has been the driving force behind the opening of negotiations with Minister Martin in September. Since then CCPI has lobbied at a national and international level to bring an Inter-governmental Agreement to the negotiating table. Ireland is making history today be leading this successful breakthrough which will act as a model for other countries seeking bilateral agreements with Belarus. Every year, close to 50,000 children from Belarus travel to all corners of the globe for Rest & Recuperation.

Adi Roche said today 'We are overjoyed. This is Christmas coming early! Words cannot describe how relieved we all are for the children and their volunteer host families up and down the country who can at last spend Christmas together. We have been waiting for this day and thanks for Minister Martin we are the first country in the world since the ban imposed in September to broker such a historic Inter-governmental Agreement. Olya and Kristina who are with us her today in Cork are our little Ambassadors. They are witnessing at first-hand the bravery and courage of the Irish people in fighting for this Agreement to be brought to a conclusion. Let us celebrate this momentous and historic day'.