HC Deb 07 October 2003 vol 411 cc191-2W
Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what progress his Department has made in renegotiating the funding contributed by the UK for navigational aids used solely by vessels using ports in the Republic of Ireland; [131536]

(2) what plans he has to end the Irish Light Dues subsidy. [131540]

Mr. Jamieson

The UK is seeking to renegotiate the current agreement to require Ireland to meet the full costs of their aids to navigation. Discussions with FCO and Irish Government are ongoing but progress is slow.

We are working with the General Lighthouse Authorities to review the future requirement of marine aids to navigation. The review will examine the provision of existing and future aids in Ireland and determine whether all existing aids are required.

Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was contributed by the UK authorities for navigational aids in the Republic of Ireland in each of the last five years. [131537]

Mr. Jamieson

The contribution of the General Lighthouse Fund to navigational aids in the Republic of Ireland in the last five years is assessed as follows:

£000
1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03
4350.5 5520.7 4597.9 473.6 4915.5

Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much subsidy was paid by the UK Government for each vessel using ports in the Republic of Ireland, in the last year for which figures are available. [131538]

Mr. Jamieson

We do not hold the information in the form requested in respect of the costs of providing aids to navigation for vessels using Republic of Ireland ports. Once a merchant vessel has paid light dues, there is no further liability for a period of one month from that date. Furthermore, no more than seven payments are required in any fiscal year. We therefore do not hold information on merchant vessel movements beyond the seven voyage limit. Neither do we hold records on fishing vessel or tug activity.

Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he(a) last raised and (b) next intends to raise the issue of light dues with the Irish Government; what discussions his Department has had with the Irish Government over the last three years regarding light dues; and what representations he has received from the Irish Government on the reform of the light dues. [131539]

Mr. Jamieson

In seeking to renegotiate the current funding agreement, light dues issues are discussed throughout the year with representatives of the Irish Government. No representations have been received on the reform of the light dues structure.