GAS production from the Corrib field will be delayed for around the year following the decision by project leaders Enterprise Energy to postpone the laying of the offshore pipeline because of planning issues.

Enterprise Energy Ireland has postponed offshore pipe-laying for the Corrib gas project until the status of the proposed onshore terminal at Bellanaboy is confirmed.

An oral hearing by An Bord Pleanala into the granting of planning permission for an onshore gas terminal in Co Mayo has begun.

An Bord Pleanala will begin to hear an appeal today into the location of an onshore gas terminal in Co Mayo.

Irish gas company Enterprise Energy Ireland still intends to drill for oil on Lough Corrib.

The European Commission is to block a proposed joint gas marketing venture between Enterprise Energy Ireland, Norway's Statoil and US company Marathon Oil because it considers it anti-competitive.