Irish PM congratulates Chinese Spring Festival

DUBLIN - Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny on Thursday extended his greetings to the Chinese community in Ireland on the occasion of the Lunar New Year.

"On behalf of the Irish people, I wish to send my warmest greetings to the Chinese community as you celebrate the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Rooster," Kenny said in his Chinese New Year message.

"On this occasion, I would like to wish all the Chinese community in Ireland health, prosperity and happiness throughout the Year of the Rooster," he added.

He said the Chinese New Year is a wonderful occasion to showcase and celebrate Chinese culture in Ireland.

"I am glad that the tradition is now widely celebrated throughout the country by many people of differing traditions," said Kenny.

Modern Ireland is now a richly diverse country and the Chinese community continues to make an important contribution to all aspects of modern Ireland -- social, cultural and economic, noted Kenny.

He said Ireland and China continue to enjoy a very special and close relationship.

"While we are both rooted in our rich and ancient cultures, we are also well adapted to meeting the challenges of the modern world," he said.

"Working ever closely together is an important aspect of our mutual goal to increase the prosperity and well-being of our peoples," he added.