Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representation Northern Ireland has within the controlling body of Irish Lights; how such persons are appointed; and what is the authority for Irish Lights to require payment to it of light dues by fishing boats based in Northern Ireland ports.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe Commissioners of Irish Lights is the statutory general lighthouse authority charged with the superintendence and management of all lighthouses, buoys and beacons around the whole of Ireland. Their powers in Northern Ireland and the Republic are similar and were vested in them under part XI of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894. This legislation remains in force in Northern Ireland and has a parallel counterpart in the statutes of the Republic. Irish Lights commissioners are appointed by the CIL board, and currently three of the commissioners are from Northern Ireland. The light dues liability of United Kingdom fishing vessels is contained in regulations made by the Secretary of State under section 5(2) of the Merchant Shipping (Mercantile Marine Fund) Act 1898. The relevant regulations are SI 1987 No. 746, SI 1988 No. 330 and SI 1989 No. 305. The general lighthouse authorities are required to levy such dues under section 5(1) of the 1898 Act.