Taoiseach in buoyant mood as Ireland joins G20 top table

Micheál Martin emphasised strong links between South Africa and Ireland — and said he hoped Cyril Ramaphosa would roll out TV screens to watch the Ireland vs Springboks rugby match 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin speaking during the Global Fund's eighth replenishment summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, ahead of the G20 summit. Picture: Leon Neal/PA

As South Africans head to Dublin this weekend, the Irish G20 delegation was rolling into Johannesburg to take a seat at the top table for the very first time.

The Aviva Stadium may be 13,500 miles away, but Andy Farrell’s team’s match against the World Cup-winning Springboks was not far from anybody’s minds.

Ireland and South Africa have a very strong relationship, ambassador Austin Gormley told an Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia lunch at the Leonardo Hotel in Johannesburg.

“The relationship is only slightly dented by what happens on the rugby field,” he quipped.

The Taoiseach made sure to mention the big match in his own speech too, calling for the G20 presidency to screen Saturday night’s match.

However, the relationship between the two nations will remain strong, Mr Martin said, “regardless of what happens in the Aviva”.

When sport is taken out of the equation, Ireland and South Africa do have a vibrant relationship.

Ireland was opposed to apartheid in South Africa, with Dunnes Stores workers famously staging a three-year strike.

This led to Ireland banning the importation of South African goods.

Strong trade between Ireland and South Africa

Things have moved on significantly since then, with South Africa now both Ireland’s largest export market in Africa and also its largest import market — worth €388m and €321m respectively.

This included exports of €46m of whiskey and imports of €124m of platinum.

There are also strong exchanges in sectors such as technology, financial services, and food and drink, with Irish companies creating 12,500 jobs in the country.

Mr Martin said that Ireland had not lobbied or sought the invitation to the G20, but was “honoured” to receive it.

Irish diplomats suggested that it was due to Ireland and South Africa’s close relationship that the invitation arrived.

Pre-G20 conference

The Taoiseach was only one of two prime ministers, alongside Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre, to address the Global Citizen Now conference.

Sabrina Elba and Taoiseach Micheál Martin, speaking during Global Citizen Now conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Friday. Mr Martin was one of only two heads of government invited to address the conference. Picture: Jemal Countess/Getty/Global Citizen

The event is hosted by South African prime minister Cyril Ramaphosa and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

Mr Martin spoke at length during a 'fireside chat' about how Ireland’s renewable energy system has “undergone a significant transformation”.

He underlined the importance of having a good planning process and “bringing communities with you”.

Surprisingly, he did not start off on his usual spiel about the number of people submitting judicial reviews, nor did he mention the chronic delays in the planning system that are stifling our infrastructure delivery.

Renewable energy 

Unlike Ireland, renewable energy is lagging majorly behind in South Africa, the conference’s audience was told.

Mr Ramaphosa highlighted that 40% of Africa’s population has no access to electricity, with Ms von der Leyen saying that investment was needed so that “children can do their own work after dark” and food and medicines can be kept fresh.

Discussions will continue along these lines at the G20 summit today, Saturday, where there will be talks on inclusive and sustainable economic growth and world resilience.

Time out for rugby? 

The leader’s dinner will take place that evening, with the Taoiseach hoping that Mr Ramaphosa will roll out the television at 7.40pm local time for the Ireland vs South Africa rugby match.

'I’m Taoiseach of the country!' Micheál Martin retorted when asked what he thought of the decision not to start Munster's Jack Crowley, a fellow Cork man, against the Springboks. Brian Lawless/PA

However, as Mr Martin proved on Friday, he can even make sports political when the Munster man was asked what he thought about Leinster’s Sam Prendergast starting at 10 rather than Munster’s fly-half Jack Crowley.

“I’m Taoiseach of the country!” he said.

“There’s a little pub on an outpost in Butlerstown. There’s a photograph of Jack Crowley, and a photograph of yours truly up on the wall.”

Mr Martin later shouted out to the media that both men were “exceptional players”.

Let’s hope that Mr Martin can be as diplomatic with his South African counterparts after the match.