Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad
Seanad business included welcoming Luxembourg’s ambassador and marking Luxembourg National Day, with warm recognition of strong Irish-Luxembourg diplomatic, economic and cultural ties and the growing Irish community there.
It is my great pleasure to welcome Ambassador Ensch to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. Tuesday, 23 June marks Luxembourg's national day, which celebrates the reigning monarch's birthday. The celebration of this holiday has been a tradition since the 19th century, though it has not always fallen on this date. Throughout Luxembourg's history, the holiday has fallen on different dates under various monarchs. This year marks 65 years since it was declared by grand-ducal decree in 1961 that the national day would be celebrated on 23 June.
Ireland has had a diplomatic presence in Luxembourg since the beginning of our membership of the European Union. The Irish Embassy was opened in Luxembourg City in the year of our accession to the EEC, 1973, which led to the development of bilateral relations in 1974. It is just over three years since the Luxembourg Embassy to Ireland was opened in June 2023.
Ireland and Luxembourg also share long-standing economic and cultural ties. There is a strong Irish presence.in EU bodies based in Luxembourg, such as the European Court of Auditors, the European Court of Justice and the European Investment Bank. There is a growing Irish community in Luxembourg that is at its highest number in over ten years. Many Irish people have moved to Luxembourg for work in a variety of fields, including for the EU institutions, where some work in the Irish language, allowing it to grow as a working language.
An Irish presence in Luxembourg has led to the development of many Irish clubs, societies and associations across the country, such as the Irish Club of Luxembourg. There are also branches of organisations such as Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, An Cumann Gaelach Lucsamburg and Gaelic Sports Club Luxembourg, which runs GAA games for anyone in the city interested in playing.
As we celebrate Luxembourg's national day, I extend my warmest wishes to the ambassador, Ms Florence Ensch, who is with us today, and to the Luxembourg community in Ireland and around the world. I wish them a happy national day. In my best Luxembourgish: schéinen Nationalfeierdag. Go raibh maith agaibh.