UK Agrees Irish Lighthouse Partnership

British and Irish Ministers have agreed reform for funding Irish Lights after the UK Shipping Minister Mike Penning and Irish Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey sealed an illuminating deal.

Their agreement will see aids to navigation off the coast of the Republic of Ireland wholly funded from domestic sources there by 2015-16.

Under existing arrangements, the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) effectively receives a subsidy for its activities in the Republic of Ireland from levies paid by ships calling at UK ports.

Now the two Ministers have agreed to phase this out, with a view to CIL's Republic of Ireland operations being funded entirely from domestic sources there by 2015-16.

The Ministers also confirmed their support for the existing structure of three General Lighthouse Authorities, comprising the Northern Lighthouse Board (in Scotland and the Isle of Man), Trinity House (in England and Wales) and the Commissioners of Irish Lights (for the whole island of Ireland).

A further agreement was reached to share all relevant information on light dues charging to assist the CIL in their transition to self-sufficiency.

CIL will also continue to receive Ministerial support as it works with the other GLAs to deliver continued and additional efficiencies in the future.

Mike Penning said: "The safety of all who sail round our coasts is paramount and aids to navigation play a crucial role in keeping our waters safe.

"I am grateful to my Irish counterpart for his understanding of the concerns of those who pay light dues in the UK, and this agreement will enable us to continue our support for the UK shipping industry, while ensuring the future of the all-Ireland Commissioners of Irish Lights," he said.

(BMcC/GK)