§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the total income and expenditure of the 265W Commissioners of Irish Lights for each year from 1985; how much of this sum in each year is spent on navigational aids in the Republic of Ireland; and how much of the income originates in the Republic.
§ Mr. PortilloThe annual expenditure of the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) is as follows:
IR £ million 1985–86 13.4 1986–87 13.7 1987–88 13.5 1988–89 116.4 1 Estimated. The expenditure (which in 1988–89 included the purchase of a second-hand ship) is financed by advances from the General Lighthouse Fund (GLF).
Under a financial agreement made with the Irish Government in 1985, 70 per cent. of CIL's total expenditure is deemed to be incurred in the Republic. The principal sources of income in the Republic are light dues and a contribution made by the Irish Government under the 1985 agreement. The income from these sources credited to the GLF is as follows:
IR £ million Light dues earned in the Republic Financial contribution for year1 1985–86 1.49 1.29 1986–87 1.90 1.32 1987–88 2.20 1.40 1988–892 2.60 1.60 1 Paid in following year. 2 Estimated. In addition, CIL has miscellaneous rental and other income amounting to IR £171,000, IR £170,000, IR £192,000 and IR £193,000 (estimated) in the four years listed above. This income is not broken down on a geographical basis.