Reform for funding of Irish Lights
UK Shipping and Irish Transport Ministers have agreed that Republic navaids should be wholly funded from Irish sources.
The agreement will see aids-to-navigation off the coast of the Republic of Ireland wholly funded from its own domestic sources by 2015-16.
Under existing arrangements, the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) receive a subsidy for activities in the Republic of Ireland from levies paid by ships calling at UK ports. Now this will be phased out and CIL’s Republic of Ireland operations funded entirely from domestic sources.
But the the Ministers confirmed their support for the existing structure of 3 General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) - Northern Lighthouse Board (Scotland and IOM), Trinity House (England and Wales) and Commissioners of Irish Lights (whole island of Ireland).
It was also agreed to share information on light dues charging to assist CIL in self-sufficiency. CIL will also continue to receive Ministerial support as it works with the other GLAs to deliver efficiencies in the future.
Light dues are charged at 41 pence per net registered ton (NRT), with a cap of 40,000 tons.
Details from the DfT.
- 23 January 2011
- Irish Branch