President Michael D Higgins has turned on the Christmas lights at Áras an Uachtaráin.
The president said it was a real pleasure to welcome families back to the Áras this Christmas after several quieter years dur to the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said he was thinking of everyone who is far away from home, whether they are refugees living in Ireland or the Irish abroad, particularly those serving in the Defence Force.
He added that it makes him "very sad indeed" to see the situation in Co Clare, where people in the International Protection programme are sleeping in tents.
"It is something that should concern all us," President Higgins said.
