Rabbitte announces 13 new licences for offshore exploration

Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Pat Rabbitte has announced that 13 new licences have been granted to companies for oil and gas exploration off the coast of Ireland.

Most of the work will take place off the west coast.

There has not been an energy find in Ireland for more than 20 years.

Minister Rabbitte said Ireland had to engage private companies to carry out the drilling through an attractive tax regime, and said any find would mean more money and employment.

"Ireland does not have the investment to get engaged in exploration and drilling itself (so) we have to attract companies from outside," he said.