Exploratory drill off south coast to start

Global energy giant Exxon Mobil is due to start a $140m (€108m) exploratory drilling programme for gas and oil off the south- west coast.

The drill programme involves a deep-water exploration well in 1.6km of water in the Porcupine Basin, 200km off the coast.

Drilling is due to begin on Saturday with the daily running costs estimated to be $1m.