It is with great pleasure that I forward a copy of President Robinson's Christmas message..... Liam
Nollaig, 1996
Tá an-áthas orm beannachtaí ó chroí a chur chuig gach uile Éireannach, sa bhaile agus thar lear, agus gach sonas agus síocháin a ghuí oraibh an Nollaig seo. Ag teacht le spiorad an tséasúir, bíonn an tnúthán láidir leis an tsíocháin ann go háirithe um Nollaig. Déanaimís ár nguí arís go mbeidh buansíocháin ann idir na pobail i dTuaisceart Éireann agus ar fud an oileáin, mar aon le síocháin agus athmhuintearas chun cuidiú leis na daoine atá ag fulaingt, nó a d'fhulaing, de dheasca coinbhleachtaí san iomad réigiún ar domhan.
Tá a gcion riachtanach féin á dhéanamh i gcónaí ag Éireannaigh - idir thuath, chléir agus chomhaltaí na bhFórsaí Cosanta - maidir le hiarrachtaí idirnáisiúnta chun cuidiú le daoine atá i gcruachás agus ar an anás. Léiríonn a gcion freisin fíorspiorad na Nollag - spiorad atá fial flaithiúil, tiomantas eiseamláireach daonnachtúil. Cuirim beannachtaí ar leith chuig gach duine agaibh.
Cuirim beannachtaí freisin chucusan atá tinn nó ina n-aonar, atá i bhfad óna dteaghlach agus uathusan a bhfuil cion acu orthu, nó a bhfuil gá acu le sólás taca an ama seo. Tráth nuair a bhíonn daoine mór le chéile is ea an Nollaig ach is féidir leis a bheith ina thráth uaignis do go leor daoine freisin. Guím go bhfaighidh sibh tacaíocht agus sólás um Nollaig i mbliana.
Seolaim beannachtaí na Nollag agus na hAthbhliana ó chroí chuig gach uile dhuine agaibh.
I am very pleased to send warmest greetings to all Irish people, at home and abroad, and to wish you every happiness and peace this Christmas. In keeping with the spirit of the season, the yearning for peace is especially strong at Christmas. Let us renew our hope for lasting peace between the communities in Northern Ireland and throughout the island, and for peace and reconciliation to help those who are suffering, or have suffered, from the effects of conflicts in too many regions of the world.
Irish people - lay, religious and members of the Defence Forces - are continuing to make their vital contribution to international efforts to help people who are in distress and in need. Their contribution also reflects the true spirit of Christmas - a spirit that is generous and giving, an exemplary humanitarian commitment. To all of you I send special greetings.
I send greetings also to those who are ill or alone, who are separated from family and loved ones, or who are in need of comfort at this time. Christmas is a time when people reach out to others but it can also be a lonely time for many. I hope that this year Christmas will bring support and consolation to you.
To each and every one I send sincere greetings and good wishes for Christmas and the New Year.