Ireland invited to join G20 group of nations meetings for first time

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin: Ireland will appoint two officials as a sherpa and deputy sherpa for the duration of South Africa's presidenct of th G20. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins 

Ireland is to join the powerful G20 group after being invited by South Africa.

This is the first time this country has been asked to join the gathering of the world's largest economies, with Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin due to seek Cabinet approval to accept an invitation to participate as a guest country during South Africa’s G20 presidency, which runs from December 2024 to November 2025.