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CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
December 2021
Dear Women and Men of the Defence Forces
Firstly thank you for your excellent service
and commitment during 2021. I am delighted
to have this opportunity to convey Christmas
greetings to all of you and your loved ones,
both on my own behalf and that of my
colleagues in the Department.
Once again, in 2021, the members of the Air
Corp, Army and the Naval Service were called
upon to support the Covid efforts in many
different ways while continuing to carry out
their many regular roles with professionalism
and dedication. Our response as a State to
Christmas Message To Members
of The Defence Forces from Jacqui
McCrum, Secretary General,
Department of Defence
the pandemic and the success of the national
vaccination operations are a tribute to your
involvement and commitment.
The Defence Organisation has faced some
challenges this year highlighting the work we
need to do to support colleagues and ensure
that we focus on inclusion and diversity in the
future. I know that you will join the Minister,
Chief of Staff and myself in meeting this
challenge head on, and making the Defence
Forces a career of choice.
I was fortunate to attend the Review of Irish
Troops heading for service with UNIFIL at
Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick in October, and
I was once again struck by the extraordinary
commitment and resilience of our serving
members. I know, at Christmastime, their
families will miss them all dearly, but I also
know how proud they are of the outstanding
work they do overseas in the cause of peace
and justice.
I would also like to mention with respect all
those serving and former members of the
Defence Forces who have lost their lives this
year. My thoughts and sympathies are with
their families, colleagues and friends.
I sincerely look forward to working with all
of you during 2022 and meeting many more
of you in person. For now I wish all of you
and your families a happy and a peaceful
Christmas. Here's to 2022!
Jacqui Mc Crum
Secretary General
Ard Rúnaí
An Roinn Cosanta
Department of Defence