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PRESIDENT MICHAEL D Higgins said today that Irish citizens must work together to renew and redouble their efforts to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Speaking as part of his annual address to the nation, the President acknowledged the hard year that families across the country have had, especially focusing on the hard times faced by those who are vulnerable.
“For vulnerable groups, however, the impact of Covid-19 has been greatly magnified,” said President Higgins.
“May I suggest that the compassion, care and empathy we extend to such groups will define how history will recall these times.”
Challenges
President Higgins praised the fact that people all across the country have made difficult sacrifices due to the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.
“In 2020, as we came together to meet the challenge of a global pandemic, we were called on to undertake a demanding adjustment to our way of life, one that has required considerable resilience, self-sacrifice and compassion from us all.”
May I, as President, say how gratifying it has been to see the great expression of generosity that has been demonstrated throughout this difficult time.
According to the President, sacrifices also extended to those who are unable to travel and see loved ones this Christmas. However, he believes that those who cannot will “be connected in spirit during the festive season”.
A new Ireland
President Higgins emphasised that people should journey forward with “hope and solidarity” and that we will choose the path ahead for Ireland.
“As we stand at a defining moment in our nation’s history, let us choose together how we wish to write this next chapter; how we wish to shape a new Ireland waiting to be born.
“It is an Ireland which can be the better for our reflection on what it is that we wish to value, an Ireland that can better address our shared existence, our shared vulnerability and our interdependence, all of our relationships,” said the President.
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You need to show that you have the wherewithal to deal with Covid 19
@Crocodylus Pontifex: well said. my first thought when I read this
@Crocodylus Pontifex: You need to have the wherewithal to distinguish the difference between a lie and a truth when the current Taoiseach passes air between his lips.
@Crocodylus Pontifex: that’s why the mask and pub delay is. Him saying he’s in Charge. It’s not for health reasons
Not going to report on Snoozefest, Journal, no? Nothing to say?
@Maria Hickey-Fagan: I just saw that, Eamon Ryan asleep in the daily and having to be woken up. Doubt it’ll land here.
@King B: *dail
@Maria Hickey-Fagan: Im more bothered about the vote he nearly slept through than the sleeping itself, same old GP towing the line heading for ruination..
@MickN: literally only keeping The Journal app for the comments section now.
@King B: well jack chambers proved he’s doing his job as government chief whip ………..he woke Ryan up to vote, and he’s on e150000 a year for that,.. Now I know how underpaid my mother was for waking me up every morning for school!
We need Leo back.. i take it the prime minister is going into isolation for 2 weeks when he comes back!
@Jennifer Kelly: essential worker unfortunately so no. and the advice is now to restrict your movements . not quarantine or self isolate
basically means tourists coming in can do what they want.
@Jennifer Kelly: *Taoiseach
@James Reardon: oh my god!!!
@James Reardon: you know the important things in life !
@James Reardon: it’s not everyone who can speak, pronounce or spell the Irish language so it’s perfectly ok to use the English translation….
@Jennifer Kelly: lol! Lol! Lol!
Be interested to see how the budget goes now the carrot of an EU recovery fund is in play.
Ireland has already rejected amendments that would see it become a net contributor instead of recipient. Italy continues to resist economic reforms but, now there’s a pile of cash can see the EU trying to push countries into compliance.
@Jack Inman: Exactly. Italy wants the money only in gifts without condition’s.
I hope that the frugal 4 don’t give in. Helping each other is necessary but if they get money than it’s not to much to ask for reforms.
Sure the EU can’t even deal with a dingy in the med. Hopefully after uk getting out it may start to crumble.
@Crispy Brown: no, no it won’t.
Now we want a strong message ??? Our mixed messages about face masks, travel, flights in and out, staycationing with “allowed” tourists from hot spots. He has a nerve !
He’s hardly in the job a wet week and he’s already passing the buck. Sounds too much like Trump and Boris. In 4 months during the height of the pandemic I don’t recall Leo passing the buck to anyone.
@2thFairy: no he just kicked it down the road for someone else to pick up….
That’s where the mask is coming from he’s trying to show the EU he’s in charge. By god we’re in trouble with him at the wheel
The EU are useless bureaucrats. They will only act if the either France or German are in trouble….
@London-Irish Senator: that was a useless statement, that one of yours.
The big question is why has there been no international cooperation on the coronavirus from day 1. Without it all efforts to contain the virus are ultimately futile. Likewise when does a country draw down its lifesaving economic gift from the eu. Is it before or after the second wave or second lockdown or the third or fourth?
Says he who is allowing tourists from one of the most infected countries in the world to fly into Ireland.
He should flipping well known
Bring Back Leo
@Are You For Real: are you for real.?
No harm having the dutch there driving a hard bargain. They turned a small swamp into one of the most sucessful countries in the world.
No mask for Michael , great example , not a clue
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