#DALKEY ISLAND PROSPECT – Hardy swimmers and non-swimmers alike gathered at the Forty Foot bathing pool in Sandycove to voice their opposition to plans to allow exploration for oil in Dublin Bay off Dalkey, reports The Irish Times.

Last month the Department of the Environment awarded a foreshore licence to Providence Resources for exploratory drilling six kilometres from the Dalkey coast.

Providence has argued the project would be of significant economic benefit to Ireland with up to 40 per cent of profits from production accruing to the State. But groups such as Dublin Bay Solidarity, which organised the protest, have raised concerns about environmental issues and taxation, and have criticised the level of public consultation on the licence.

Afloat.ie adds that this latest protest held last Saturday at the popular bathing place in south Dublin Bay follows a protest outside the gates of Dail Eireann last week.

Close to 200 people attended to voice similar concerns, among them that a public inquiry was not granted and how our natural resources affect all the people of Ireland both locally as well as nationally, which needs to be highlighted and discussed.