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visit us at www.military.ie O n my own behalf and that of my Govern- ment colleagues, I am pleased to extend Christ- mas wishes this year to all the members of the Defence Forces and their loved ones for the first time since my appointment as Minister for Defence. Since taking Office earlier this year, I have witnessed firsthand the dedication, professionalism and com- mitment to excellence displayed, on a daily basis, by all members of the Defence Forces and the high level of esteem in which our Defence Forces are rightly held both here at home and abroad. At home, mem- bers of Óglaigh na hÉireann make a real difference to the lives of those in our communities impacted by extreme weather events and other emergency situa- tions. Whenever the services of the Defence Forces are needed the response is always swift, professional and committed to completing the job at hand, whatever it may take. Abroad, the ongoing commitment of Ireland to the cause of international peace all around the world is second-to-none. This is only made possible by the selfless commitment of the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann who serve this cause, often in very difficult and challenging security environments. In this regard, I must once again pay tribute to the recently returned personnel of the 44th Infantry Group, who were deployed as part of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) to the Golan Heights in Syria. They carried out their mission there with great professionalism and integrity and notably came to the successful aid of their Filipino colleagues in the midst of a rapidly deteriorating security situation. As I stated previously, the Government and I place high importance on the valuable work being done by the Defence Forces in the challenging operating conditions that they face in that region, and indeed elsewhere. I should especially like to thank all the members of the Defence Forces who will be spending this Christmas and New Year overseas, away from their family and friends. It is never easy to be apart at this time of year and I want to thank all those men and women who find themselves far from home this festive season for their dedication to the service of the State as members of Óglaigh na hÉireann. I am certainly not forgetting the vital support that you receive from your family and friends here in Ireland that allows you to serve over- seas. Christmas is also a time when we remember those we have lost during the year and I wish to send my thoughts, prayers and sympathy to all the family and friends of serving and former members of the Defence Forces who passed away during 2014. Go ndéana Dia trócaire orthú. Finally, I want to wish each and every member of the Defence Forces and their families a peaceful and happy Christmas full of the joys of the season, with every suc- cess for 2015. Guím sonas agus sábháilteacht do chomhaltaí na bhFórsaí Cosanta agus da muintir an Nollaig seo agus san Áthbhlian. Simon Coveney, T.D. Minister for Defence Christmas Message to Members of the Defence Forces from Minister Simon Coveney, T.D., Minister for Defence T har cheann an Fhoireann Ginearál- ta ba mhaith liom beannachtaí na féile a ghuí ar gach comhalta d'Óglaigh na hÉireann. Ag an tráth seo don bhliain tugtar an deis dúinn mac- namh a dhéanamh ar an bhliain atá caite agus an deis aghaidh a thabhairt ar an bhliain atá romhainn. Ba mhaith liom mar sinn mo bhuíochas a ghabhail le gach saighdiúir, eitleora, agus mairnéalach as ucht bhur gcuid oibre ar fad i rith na bliana. On behalf of the General Staff, I would like to wish you, your families and loved ones a very special Christmas. I want to thank you for your steadfast service throughout the year and to thank your families and friends for the support they have given. Without that support and the commitment of our loved ones the performance of our duties would be much more difficult. Christmas gives us an opportunity to reflect on the year gone by, to take stock and prepare ourselves for the New Year. It is only through reflection that we can consider our performances individually and collectively. Look- ing back I am satisfied that Óglaigh na hÉireann carried out all tasks assigned to us at home and overseas with professionalism and commitment. We will build on our Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Conor O'Boyle Christmas Message

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