President Michael D extends Xmas wishes

President Michael D Higgins has urged the public to celebrate their “shared strengths” as we enter the Christmas period.

In his first Christmas message as President of Ireland, the former Galway TD acknowledged that the festive season would be tough for those experiencing unemployment, financial insecurity, illness or bereavement. He also commiserated with those experiencing the absence of a loved one who is now living abroad, saying it would “cast a dark shadow” over the Christmas celebrations.

“I would like to send my best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to everyone here in Ireland and to our extended global family across the world,” said Mr Higgins.

“These are troubling and testing times for so many but, while acknowledging the hurt inflicted, the dismay caused, by the mistakes that were made, I also believe that the Irish people have the resilience, the fortitude and the wisdom to move beyond any destructive cynicism and recrimination and have the capacity and determination to move on and craft a new positive form of their Irishness.”

President Higgins said it had been “truly inspiring” for him to witness the “innovation and resourcefulness” shown during the recession, particularly communities “renewing themselves in social solidarity” and those showing concern for the less fortunate.

He added that while the wider global environment was “worrying”, there were some positive signs on the horizon, including growing exports and direct inward investment.

“I am confident that, drawing on our shared strengths and our ethical values, we will rebuild a sustainable and strong economy while also at the same time building a just and inclusive society that ensures the participation of all its citizens.

“We are a country of which there is much to be proud, whose possibilities are still to be fully imagined and realised and whose people I am honoured to serve. I wish you all a peaceful Christmas and a happy New Year.”