Tony Killeen
Ceist:187 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for the Marine the current position regarding the provision of navigational aids by the Commissioners of Irish Lights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7136/97]
Written Answers. - Navigational Aids.
Tony Killeen
Ceist:188 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for the Marine the discussions, if any, he had with the Commissioners of Irish Lights in the two weeks prior to 3 March 1997 regarding navigational aids currently in place and the future of the proposed Loran C system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7137/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 188 together.
Deputies will be aware that I recently introduced legislation to enable the Commissioners of Irish Lights to continue to provide radio-based aids to marine navigation which the Supreme Court found to beultra vires the powers of the commissioners under the 1894 Merchant Shipping Act. The Merchant Shipping (Commissioners of Irish Lights) Bill, 1997 was passed by the Dáil on 18 February and is currently before the Seanad. I have explained to both Houses that the need to urgently introduce this Bill arose following a letter which I received from the chairman of the Commissioners of Irish Lights. The chairman informed me that the Commissioners had received legal advice that each commissioner was potentially liable for any claims or expenses arising out of the non-statutory illegal operation of radio aids to navigation and that they had no option, therefore, but to notify mariners of the termination of such aids as and from 28 February unless the required legislation was passed.
I met with the commissioners on 6 February and they subsequently agreed to defer the closure of radio aids on foot of an assurance from me that I would introduce the necessary legislation as quickly as possible. I should mention that there was never any question of the commissioners discontinuing other types of aids to navigation, such as lighthouses, as these were not affected by the Supreme Court decision.
While I have had no further discussions with the commissioners since the meeting on 6 February, Department officials are in regular contact with the commissioners who have been made aware of my decision to establish a public forum in relation to the Loran C project and that, following the outcome of the current Supreme Court case and the public forum, they may not proceed with the erection of a Loran C mast without undertaking a renewed and appropriate planning application procedure.
The present position is that all navigational aids in place are fully operational.