Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Since the end of the 18th century, Luxembourg's national day has celebrated the reigning monarch's birthday. Celebrations in the capital usually begin with a torch-lit procession. There are significant historical and cultural links between Ireland and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, not least of which is the fact that Luxembourg's only patron saint, St. Willibrord, was educated and got his spiritual education in County Carlow.

Ireland's embassy in Luxembourg opened in 1973, which marked our accession to the European Economic Community, EEC, as it was at the time. A number of Irish people moved to Luxembourg to take up positions in the European institutions, which led to the establishment of Luxembourg GAA, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Luxembourg, Cumann Gaelach Lucsamburg, the Irish Club of Luxembourg and Luxembourg's participation in the Rose of Tralee. Luxembourg is working on establishing an embassy in Ireland. Hopefully, next year, we will have a new ambassador from Luxembourg in Ireland and will be able to welcome him or her to the Seanad for Luxembourg's national day. I wish the people of Luxembourg all the best on their national day, Nationalfeierdag.