The President Mrs Mary McAleese has today called for those involved in the Peace Process "at this crucial time" to have the trust and the faith to complete "this journey of healing and reconciliation"
In her first Christmas Day message of her new term, Mrs McAleese said the backbone of Ireland's strong civic society was "a unique tradition of robust, energetic, caring communities built and sustained by voluntary effort".
"The past year was an exceptional one in Ireland when history placed us at the centre of the enlargement of the European Union, as hosts of that wonderful Day of Welcomes for the ten new member states. Now the citizens of the twenty-five partner states set out on a shared journey to a peaceful and prosperous future."
She noted that while many in Ireland had experienced a dramatic growth in prosperity she asked that people " renew their commitment to one another and especially to those who are still struggling".
"The Irish have a legendary capacity for generosity - may each of us wherever we are honour that tradition this Christmastide