President endorses Special Olympics spirit

The President, Mrs McAleese, has extended Christmas and New Year greeting to Irish people and "Ireland's friends everywhere".

In her message, President McAleese refers to the inspiration provided by this year's Special Olympics World Games and looks forward to the challenge of Ireland's presidency of the EU, starting next month.

The spirit of the Special Olympics, and its ability to enrich each other, endured and not just in the area of sport. "Those inspiring athletes brought out the very best in us, creating memories of heroic endeavour and limitless generosity which will live in our hearts and minds for a long time to come," she said.

The President expressed particular delight that the Games were an all-island project involving a successful partnership between North and South.

Referring to the recent assembly elections, she expressed the hope that the newly elected politicians "will work together constructively and responsively, mindful of the undeniable progress that has been made in recent years and the huge desire for peace".

The new members of the EU should take "great heart and inspiration" from Ireland's remarkable success, she said. It would be our privilege to host the historic Day of Welcomes when 10 new member-states join the Union on May 1st.

"Whatever challenges the new year holds for us may we continue to be uplifted by the spirit of Christmas and may we continue to work, in hope, for ". . . that dream, born in a herdsman's shed/And for the secret Scripture of the poor".