RSPB warns of Northern Ireland drilling

The RSPB has warned of the repercussions to wildlife if the oil industry gets the green light to drill in the area around Rathlin Island.

Rathlin is the only inhabited island in Northern Ireland and is situated off the north Antrim coast.

The wildlife charity claimed that the area is a haven for razorbills, lobsters, crabs and puffins and warned that oil drilling in the region could have a potentially devastating effect on marine animals and plants.

It is not just Rathlin Island that would be affected, as the RSPB warned that locations across the UK could be impacted if an oil spill occurred following drilling at the site.

"We've seen off the coast of Aberdeenshire that no matter how careful the drilling, there is always the risk of a spill," Claire Ferry, senior conservation officer at RSPB in Northern Ireland, said.

Ms Ferry added that the Shell spill luckily occurred "away from any vulnerable wildlife colonies, but just imagine the impact if that oil was washing onto a globally important seabird colony".

Shell is currently under investigation following the leak into the North Sea.