There was more than a 25% drop in planning approvals for house and apartments in Ireland during the last quarter of 2008, compared to the previous year, it has been revealed.

During October and December last year planner granted permission for around 14,000 homes.

The number of successful applications for houses was down 21%, while approvals for apartments were down 26.2%.

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Meanwhile, in other news, talks between Rossport residents, Shell representatives and two state minister have taken place in Dublin today.

The group met to discuss the controversial Corrib gas project.

Former Department of Justice secretary-general Joe Brosnan chaired the talks, attended by Energy Minister Eamon Ryan and Minister for Rural Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív.

This was the first time the state became involved in wrangling over the proposal.

Today's talks were described as having an "open agenda".

Shell EP Ireland said it welcomed the opportunity to "participate in a positive and open manner in these talks".

(PR/JM)