President Michael D Higgins has made poverty and migration central elements in his annual Christmas message.
Speaking from Áras an Uachtaráin, President Higgins said: "As we take stock over this holiday period, we are given an opportunity to reflect on our lives and the world we live in".
"As we do so, we are reminded of the hardship experienced by countless people in Ireland and the suffering of millions of our fellow travellers on this vulnerable planet we call Earth Christmas is a special time".
"During 2015 we learnt that one in every 122 people on the planet is now a refugee, a "displaced person" or otherwise forced to leave their homes".
"As people of a migrant nation we are perhaps uniquely placed to understand the great agony experienced by the 60 million displaced people".
The President added: "It is heartening to see how countless people in Ireland have chosen to respond with warmth and real hospitality".
He also payed homage to NGOs, our medical services and uniformed services - both at home and overseas.
"How we treat the weakest among us is the finest test of us as a nation", he said.
"It is my sincere hope that those ideals can inspire each and every one of us on our shared journey where each step made by each citizen, in every generation, matters, a journey that we all make together, never alone".
