Oil companies granted licences to work off coast

The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources Noel Dempsey has granted licences to a number of oil companies to explore the Slyne, Ennis and Donegal basins.

Statoil, Shell, Serica, Island Oil and Gas and Lundin Exploration have been given permission to search for fuel in the area, which covers about 25,000 sq km.

Grianan Energy Limited had also applied for a licence, but it was unsuccessful as it failed to meet the necessary requirements.