Tuesday, 17 March 2026

 Michael O’BRIEN (Malvern) (13:04): Today is St Patrick’s Day, the national day of Ireland, honouring the patron saint of Ireland. As a proud Dubliner I am reminded of the extraordinary contribution that the Irish nation has made to our state and to our country: politics, the law, medicine, education, the arts, business and sport have all been enhanced by Irish immigrants to this land. As co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Ireland, I was pleased to join the Celtic Club with a number of parliamentary colleagues for a very well-attended St Patrick’s breakfast at Federation Square on Friday. Congratulations to Celtic Club president Ronan McDonald for a great event and a thoughtful address on the history of the club and its contribution to our city since 1887.

I was delighted to then join the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce for the annual St Patrick’s lunch at Crown, arranged by the chamber’s new CEO Alan Glover, who took over from my fellow Celtic supporter Barry Corr. A packed-out Palladium was in the sure hands of the great Dermott Brereton as MC, while guests heard from the chamber’s outstanding president Jeff Doyle and the impressive new Irish consul general to Melbourne Ms Marie-Claire Hughes. St Patrick’s Day is a day to celebrate Ireland and the Irish, so on my final St Patrick’s Day as a member of this place, may I wish you all slán agus beannacht – goodbye and blessing.