President Michael D Higgins says he'll be 'very glad' to get a COVID-19 vaccine once it's offered.
He said he and his wife Sabina will be getting a vaccine when over-75s start getting vaccinated.
The president is also reminding people that "we're not stuck in the circumstances of COVID" and we will come out of them.
He was speaking on St Brigid's Day, a day which he says offers hope for the future.
Today, on #StBrigidsDay, President Higgins says Ireland's only female patron saint offers an example and hope for the future.
Read or watch the President’s message for #LaFheileBride at https://t.co/xGTlTzRtoL pic.twitter.com/NLGJ7jElln— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) February 1, 2021
Speaking about the COVID-19 crisis, President Higgins said he's particularly missing contact with other people.
However, he said: "It’s very important that we’re not stuck in the circumstances of COVID - we will come out of them, and those circumstances will change. It’s very important to talk about that.
“I hope that when people come out of COVID, they come out committed to doing things differently… we really have to think about our broken relationship with nature… it has to be repaired… and then, as well as that, our connection with each other.”
He said it's important people are encouraged to get the vaccination, and that it's 'great' to see a vast majority of people are in favour of it.
He added: “Sabina and I are in the category… 75-80. When they start that category, we’ll both be getting it."
