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visit us at www.military.ie Christmas Message from the Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Conor O' Boyle T har mo cheannsa agus thar ceann na Foirne Ginearálta, ba mhaith liom an deis seo a thapú beannachtaí na Nollag a ghuí ar gach ball den Bhuanfhórsa Cosanta agus de na hÓglaigh Cúltaca. Guím gach sláinte agus sonas oraibh don Bhliain Nua chomh maith. Bhí bliain ghnóthach agus rathúil eile ag Óglaigh na hÉireann i mbliana, agus ba mhaith liom go háirithe ár mbuíochas a ghlacadh lenár dteaglach agus ár gcairde, a gcabhraíonn a gcuid íobairtí agus tacaíochta linn ár gcúraimí a chomhlíonadh ag na caighdeáin shábháilteachta is airde is féidir. Tugann an tráth seo den bhliain deis dúinn machnamh a dhéanamh ar oibríochtaí an Airm, an Aerchóir agus na Seirbhíse Cabhlaigh agus iad ag feidhmiú ag ardluas sa bhaile agus thar lear le chaon ceann acu ag leanúint le rannchuidiú suntasach agus inláimhsithe a chur ar fáil don Stát. Mar is eol duit, tá Óglaigh na hÉireann tar éis athrú agus atheagrú go suntasach le roinnt míonna anuas agus ní bheadh sé sin bainte amach murach comhoibriú gach ball d'Óglaigh na hÉireann agus a ndaoine muintire. On behalf of myself and the General Staff, I would like to take this opportunity to extend Christmas greetings to every member of the Permanent and Reserve Defence Forces. May I also wish you both health and happiness for the New Year. In what has been another busy and successful year for the Defence Forces, I particularly wish to extend our gratitude to your families and friends, whose sacrifices and support enable us to perform our tasks to the highest possible standards. This time of year affords us the opportunity to pause and reflect on the operations of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as they continue to remain at a high tempo both at home and overseas with each continuing to provide significant and tangible contributions to the State. As you are aware the Defence Forces have come through significant change and re-organisation in recent months and this has only been achieved with the cooperation of each member of Óglaigh na hÉireann and their loved ones. I would like to extend particular best wishes and gratitude to all members of the Defence Forces on duty this Christmas whether serving overseas, at sea, in the air, or elsewhere in the service of the State. Christmas is a special time of year and I am very conscious of our colleagues who are away from their family and loved ones - thank you for your continuing hard work, dedication and professionalism. The season of Christmas is also a time for reflection and remembrance of those who have gone before us. Let us take the time to remember in our thoughts the members of the Defence Forces, Veterans, and their families and friends who have died during the past year. Go ndéana Dia trócaire orthú Óglaigh na hÉireann, has occupied a unique position in Ireland for the past 100 years, from humble beginnings at the Rotunda Rink, Dublin on the 25th of November 1913, through to the present day. It was fitting at the close of this year that our organisation played a central role in the State commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the foundation of Óglaigh na hÉireann. The ethos, courage and patriotism evident in the hearts of those men and women are also to be found in today's modern soldier. We should always remember with pride our place in Irish Society and History. In conclusion, it is important for all members of Óglaigh na hÉireann to know that the coming year will no doubt bring new challenges for the organisation but it will be through our traditional ethos of team work and loyalty that we will meet and overcome these challenges. Finally let me re-state my pride in you and the work you do on behalf of the State as members of the Army, Air Corps and Navy both at home and abroad. I would like to thank every member of Óglaigh na hÉireann for their loyalty and devotion to duty in 2013. Nollaig shona daoibh go léir agus athbhliain faoi shéan agus faoí mhaise. Conor O' Boyle Lieutenant General Chief of Staff

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