The collection of Light Dues
by Roy Watts
THE PROVISION and maintenance of aids to marine navigation
around the coast of Ireland by the Commissioners of Irish Lights is
financed by light dues which are paid by commercial vessels when
they visit ports around the country. Dues are collected on behalf
of the Commissioners mainly by Customs & Excise in the Republic
of Ireland and by the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers in
Northern Ireland.
Light dues in Northern Ireland were formerly collected by HM Customs & Excise but when the Single European Act came into force in 1992 it was no longer possible for them to offer this service, so the collection was contracted out to the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.
Irish Lights is a user pays service. The structure and level of light dues is determined annually by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources within the Republic of Ireland, and in the UK by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.
Light dues are charged at the rate of 41p (Irish) in the Republic of Ireland, and 41p (Sterling) in Northern Ireland, per Net Registered Ton of each vessel. The current rates have been in force since 1997 when they were reduced from 46p (Irish) in the Republic of Ireland and 43p (Sterling) in Northern Ireland. Vessels pay once per month and are required to pay for a maximum of 7 voyages per annum.
Under the terms of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 in respect of the Republic of Ireland and the Merchant Shipping Act, 1955 in Northern Ireland the Commissioners have the powers to detain vessels or to seize equipment from vessels for the non payment of light dues. These powers do not have to be invoked very often.
Certain classes of vessels are granted exemption from paying light dues: for example, vessels of less than 20 tons, sail training vessels, and vessels wholly in ballast. Fishing vessels in the Republic of Ireland are exempt from the payment of light dues whereas fishing vessels in Northern Ireland are liable under UK law.
Fishing vessels in Northern Ireland pay light dues based on the length of the vessel. The owners are invoiced annually by Trinity House advising them of their liability, and failure to meet their commitment results in the Commissioners either distraining equipment from the vessel or taking Court action to satisfy the debt.
Irish registered tugs and pleasure craft over 20 tons are invoiced by Customs & Excise and make an annual light dues payment.
Light dues in Northern Ireland were formerly collected by HM Customs & Excise but when the Single European Act came into force in 1992 it was no longer possible for them to offer this service, so the collection was contracted out to the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.
Irish Lights is a user pays service. The structure and level of light dues is determined annually by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources within the Republic of Ireland, and in the UK by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.
Light dues are charged at the rate of 41p (Irish) in the Republic of Ireland, and 41p (Sterling) in Northern Ireland, per Net Registered Ton of each vessel. The current rates have been in force since 1997 when they were reduced from 46p (Irish) in the Republic of Ireland and 43p (Sterling) in Northern Ireland. Vessels pay once per month and are required to pay for a maximum of 7 voyages per annum.
Under the terms of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 in respect of the Republic of Ireland and the Merchant Shipping Act, 1955 in Northern Ireland the Commissioners have the powers to detain vessels or to seize equipment from vessels for the non payment of light dues. These powers do not have to be invoked very often.
Certain classes of vessels are granted exemption from paying light dues: for example, vessels of less than 20 tons, sail training vessels, and vessels wholly in ballast. Fishing vessels in the Republic of Ireland are exempt from the payment of light dues whereas fishing vessels in Northern Ireland are liable under UK law.
Fishing vessels in Northern Ireland pay light dues based on the length of the vessel. The owners are invoiced annually by Trinity House advising them of their liability, and failure to meet their commitment results in the Commissioners either distraining equipment from the vessel or taking Court action to satisfy the debt.
Irish registered tugs and pleasure craft over 20 tons are invoiced by Customs & Excise and make an annual light dues payment.