DUBLIN, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Ireland plans to freeze the
issuing of new exploration licences for oil in Irish waters but
not for gas, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar told journalists on
Monday during a visit to New York, Irish media reported.
Varadkar said he would announce at a U.N. climate summit
"that Ireland will also decline to issue any new exploration
licences for oil in Irish waters (though new licences for gas
will continue to be issued)," Virgin TV News reporter Gavan
Reilly said in a Twitter post.
Reporters for the Irish Times and Examiner newspapers also
reported the comments. A spokesman for Varadkar did not
immediately respond to a request for comment.
(Reporting by Conor Humphries. Editing by Jane Merriman)
((conor.humphries@thomsonreuters.com; +35315001518; Reuters
Messaging: conor.humphries.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))