Banning offshore drilling would hamper rural Irish economic development, Canadians warn

A ban on drilling for oil and gas in Irish waters would seriously hamper the chance to economically develop large parts of rural Ireland, an international business group has warned.

The Ireland-Canada Business Association (ICBA) - which counts among its members energy firms from both countries - has attacked proposed legislation targeting a ban on offshore drilling in Irish waters and has urged politicians to consider the challenges facing Ireland in securing its own energy supply.