Enda Kenny's Christmas message: we'll get our people home, and keep them home

The Taoiseach shared his Christmas message with the Irish people yesterday evening, and had a special message for the global diaspora, too.

'We're working day and night to get our country back on its feet, to create jobs and opportunities that we'll get our people home, and keep them home, so that together we can build a better and a richer future for all our families,' Mr Kenny said.

'I know that this will be a difficult and lonely Christmas for many of you, because you may have lost a loved one, or because they are in another country – that Skype is no substitute for the hug of a dearly loved child or grandchild.'

May the new light bring new hope, new warmth, new confidence to ireland, to our country, and to our people, wherever they may be, at home, abroad, or indeed in hospital.

The Taoiseach also mentioned the financial difficulties that many Irish people at this time, and took part in a carol service in Leinster house.