THERE were fresh calls last night to change the country’s oil exploration taxes, which are the lowest in the world.

FOLLOWING the recent landslide in north Mayo, it is not surprising that fresh controversy has erupted among local residents, fishermen, small farmers and politicians in the wake of new moves by Shell to get planning permission to build a gas terminal in the area.

IRELAND has the capacity to become self-sufficient in natural gas and to become a net gas exporter Energy Minister Dermot Ahern said yesterday.

THE GOVERNMENT will come under pressure in the Dáil today to explain the controversial circumstances surrounding a deal it struck with a major corporation to bring gas ashore from the coast of Co Mayo.