President McAleese expresses hope for the North’s future

The President, Mary McAleese, has called for greater North-South co-operation in her Christmas address.

Prof McAleese said she was hopeful there would be significant moves in the North’s peace process.

She added that she hoped those elected to the Northern Assembly would "work together constructively and responsibly, mindful of the undeniable progress that has been made in recent years and the huge desire for peace".

President McAleese also paid tribute to the massive efforts by people across Ireland in hosting the Special Olympics.

She referred to the summer’s event as an example of how people on both sides of the border can work together successfully.

"Coming as I do from Northern Ireland," she said, "I was particularly delighted that the Special Olympics was an all-island project and that through the Olympian spirit of friendship, we shared such a successful partnership."