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Your Defence Forces Newsletter CHRISTMAS MESSAGE TO MEMBERS OF THE DEFENCE FORCES FROM MINISTER ALAN SHATTER, T.D., MINISTER FOR JUSTICE, EQUALITY & DEFENCE I am pleased to have this opportunity to convey Christmas greetings to all members of the Defence Forces and their loved ones both on my own behalf and that of my Government colleagues. Once again in 2013 the members of the Army, the Naval Service and the Air Corps continue to carry out their many roles with the professionalism, dedication and commitment we have come to expect. You have carried out your duties to the highest standard, often in challenging environments. The support to our local communities through emergency response, the assistance offered to relieve communities in times of hardship and the continued contribution to international peace support operations mark the very real contribution that you make both at home and overseas. Ireland's participation in international peace support operations depends on the ongoing commitment of Defence Force personnel to serve overseas in often difficult and dangerous circumstances. During the course of this year I witnessed firsthand the dedication and compassion of our personnel when I visited troops serving with UNIFIL in Lebanon and UNTSO on the Golan Heights. In 2013 in addition to our commitment to UNIFIL and a range of other missions the Government also agreed to the deployment of Irish Defence Forces personnel for service at UNDOF's mission in Syria. While I do not underestimate the dangers that this mission may present, I am certain that it makes an important contribution to preventing further instability in that region. At this time of the year I would especially like to pay tribute to the many members of the Defence Forces who are spending Christmas overseas, separated from their families and loved ones. The absence of a loved one from home is most greatly felt in the Christmas season. I want to sincerely acknowledge the support that you receive from your families and friends that enables you to serve overseas. I would also like to remember all those serving and former members of the Defence Forces who have lost their lives this year. Our thoughts and best wishes are with their families and friends. I would like to wish all our Defence Forces and their families a happy and a peaceful Christmas and every success for 2014. Guím sonas agus sábháilteacht do chomhaltaí na bhFórsaí Cosanta agus dá muintir an Nollaig seo agus san Áthbhlian. Alan Shatter TD, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence Christmas Message from the Head Chaplain 2013 O n behalf of my fellow Chaplains I send warmest greetings to all members of Óglaigh na hÉireann serving and retired. As we prepare to celebrate this season of peace, joy and goodwill I am conscious that many of our personnel including two of my chaplains will be serving overseas and separated from families, friends and loved ones. Our Defence Forces are blessed to have remarkable men and women who serve so courageously and so selflessly. Our area of operations may be changing with troops now serving in Mali and on the Golan Heights but what remains the same wherever personnel are deployed is the spirit, good humour, courage and commitment they show every day, often in the most arduous conditions. To our troops overseas and to those here at home: on behalf of the Chaplaincy Service, thank you for all you do in the service of peace and protecting the internal security of the state. We are deeply grateful for your extraordinary service. It is a privilege to serve you as chaplains. May each of you experience the joy, love and peace of Christ, who is the living icon of God's love for us. During this time of goodwill, love and peace are the gifts we all need so much. This is a time when we exchange gifts within our families and with our friends. May the gifts we exchange this year be real tokens of love and peace to all. And may that peace the world longs for be part of the lives of the suffering and displaced people of Syria. At this special time of the year, this time of profound religious significance, I pray that the message of the ChristChild will be reborn in our homes, in our hearts and souls this Christmas season. As we look back over the year we remember those families who, this Christmas, are mourning the loss of their dear ones. May the memories of earlier times help to sustain them through their grief. Finally, on behalf of the Chaplaincy Service I wish each and every one of you a most Blessed Christmas Season. May the new-born Child of Bethlehem be in your hearts and in your homes this Christmas and throughout the New Year, bringing to our country and to the world the precious gift of Peace which only He can give. Gúim Beannachtaí na Féile ar gach ball dena Forsaí Cosanta agus dá mhuintir uilig. Rt. Rev. Mgr. Eoin Thynne Head Chaplain to the Defence Forces

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