An Cosantóir

10 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE It is my pleasure on behalf of the government and as Minister for Defence to convey Christmas greetings to all the Women and Men of the Defence Forces and their loved ones. I want to thank each of you for your dedicated service to the State in 2021. It has been another challenging year, and members of the Army, the Naval Service and the Air Corps have continued to adapt and build our Defence capabilities while supporting the ongoing Covid efforts in many different ways. These efforts underpinned our national vaccination campaign, and helped us achieve one of the highest rates of vaccination in the world. Well done to you all for that. Christmas Message from the Minister For Defence Simon Coveney TD To the Irish Defence Forces Earlier this year we celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the Naval Service with events in Cork and Dublin. In the summer, our Defence Forces played a central role as we assisted in the evacuation of Irish citizens from Kabul supported by Department colleagues 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. Their families will miss them of course at this special time, but we are all so proud of their outstanding commitment and sacrifice in the name of Peace Keeping abroad. You have had many highlights and exciting changes this year: In July, you welcomed the new Chief of the Defence Forces, Major General Sean Clancy. Also over the summer, one of your most distinguished military staff, Major General Maureen O'Brien, was appointed by the United Nations as Deputy Military Advisor in the Office of Military Affairs. You played a tremendous role in the autumn SFI- Defence Organisation Innovation Challenge, which was the culmination of many months of work and all of this was achieved against the backdrop of an ongoing global pandemic, which pushed all of us to adapt in new and flexible ways. I would like to take this opportunity to mention with respect all those serving and former members of the Defence Forces who have lost their lives this year. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends. Ar dheis De go raibh a n-anamacha. I wish all members of the Defence Forces, and their families a very happy and peaceful Christmas. Guím sonas agus sábháilteacht do chomhaltaí na bhFórsaí Cosanta agus dá muintir an Nollaig seo agus san Áthbhlian.

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