It gives me great pleasure to extend Christmas greetings to all members of ONE and to your loved ones, both on my own behalf and on behalf of my colleagues in Government and Department officials.

2024 has been another busy and productive year for ONE. Your work continues in providing advice and support to veterans through your nationwide network of Branches, Veteran Support Centres, and Veteran Support Officers. The provision of accommodation to homeless veterans in your residential homes also remains a very worthy priority.

Fundraising remains a critical element in ONE’s ability to provide these services and I want to take the opportunity to congratulate Paul Clarke on his appointment as Marketing and Fundraising Officer to work alongside Chief Executive Officer Cormac Kirwan and Deputy Chief Executive Officer Michael Smyth.

Congratulations also to Denis Buckley who was appointed as ONE’s fifth Veteran Support Officer, this time for the Cork/Kerry area. I know that there are plans to appoint two more Veteran Support Officers in the period ahead.

In February, I had the pleasure of hosting my annual meeting with ONE where I met with Cormac, Michael and Colm Campbell, Chairperson of the Board of Directors. They took the opportunity to raise matters of concern to ONE members, and to update me on ONE’s activities and plans for future developments.

I was happy to reaffirm my commitment to continue to support ONE wherever possible, in particular through the annual grant from my Department, and funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund. Since 2021, substantial funding has been secured from this fund to assist ONE with special projects and it is anticipated that there will be further funds made available in 2025. These projects include the development of ONE’s home in Cobh, Co. Cork, and infrastructure projects in your homes in Athlone, Cobh, Dublin and Letterkenny to improve the quality of life for residents. More of this funding has been earmarked for the development of ONE’s fifth residential home in St. Luke’s, Cork City, which will accommodate six veterans.

Looking ahead to 2025, ONE’s home in Cork will open. My Department and the Defence Forces have also been working with ONE to progress the opening of the former Commanding Officer’s house in Limerick, in 2025. Work will also continue with regard to the Commission on the Defence Forces recommendation for an Office of Veterans Affairs.

Christmas is a time for us to remember those who are no longer with us. We remember in particular those who died during this past year. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, loved ones and friends at this time. We recall those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of peace and in service of their country. The escalating tension in the Middle East this year and the concern for Irish personnel serving with UNIFIL has underlined once again just how difficult the noble cause of peacekeeping is. I thank members of ONE for their loyal service to both the State and international peacekeeping while serving overseas.    In conclusion, I would like to wish the officers in your headquarters, house managers and staff in your homes, your Veteran Support Officers, Branch Officers, those who run the Veteran Support Centres and all members of ONE and your families a safe and peaceful Christmas and best wishes for year ahead