IRISH fishermen are hoping Brussels will grant them an increase in their share of the mackerel and prawn catch after it emerged they might get just half of last year’s mackerel quota.

HOPES are again being raised of a major gas find in a huge area in the Atlantic, about 150km off the west and south coasts.

A NEW exploration drive in the Atlantic to address the nation’s near-total reliance on imported gas was launched by the government yesterday.

The Government today invited more exploration firms to drill for gas in the Porcupine Basin off Ireland’s south west coast.