§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what discussions he has had with the Irish Government regarding the cessation of payments from the UK General Lighthouse Fund for the provision of navigational aids in Irish territorial waters; [168259]
(2) what discussions he has had with (a) the Department for Transport and (b) the Northern Ireland Office regarding the cessation of payments from the UK General Lighthouse Fund for the provision of navigational aids in Irish territorial waters. [168260]
§ Mr. RammellDiscussions are on-going between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for Transport at official level regarding the cessation of payments from the UK General Lighthouse Fund for the provision of navigational aids in Irish territorial waters. It has been agreed that the Department for Transport should take forward negotiations with the Irish Government. A meeting with the Irish Government is scheduled shortly.