Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to make the Commissioners of Irish Lights amenable to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23898/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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There are three General Lighthouse Authorities (GLA's ), which are responsible for providing and maintaining Aids-To Navigation in the UK and Ireland. The three GLA's are Commissioners for Irish Lights (responsible for the 32 counties of Ireland), Trinity House Lighthouse Service (responsible for England and Wales) and the Northern Lighthouse Board (responsible for Scotland and the Isle of Man). The functions of the GLA's are governed by the Merchant Shipping Act 1894, an act of the UK parliament.

The entire system of lights around the coasts of Britain and Ireland is administered as a single financial unit, known as the General Lighthouse Fund (GLF). The GLF is controlled by the UK Department for Transport. As a result, the three GLA's are under it's aegis. Due to this unique link, the Aids-to Navigation Division of the Department of Transport monitors, but does not control the activities of CIL. In view of these reporting and funding arrangements it is not appropriate at this time to bring the Commissioners for Irish Lights in under the FOI Act.