The British government has always paid a subvention to fund the operation of Irish coastal navigational systems.
The British shipping industry has now asked the British government to end this subvention which amounts to €13 million per annum.
If the subvention does ends the Irish Lights Commissioners will have to make up the difference by extra charges for those using Irish ports or by government funding.
Personally, I’ve always thought it odd that Ireland, as a sovereign state, would allow another state to fund a service that rightly should be its own responsibility. The British shipping industry is right, the practice should end.
If you think that is weird what about the lifeboat service? It is part of the RNLI and the bulk of the funding comes from there.