Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission

The Joint Communiqués following the Council meetings can be found in the Publications section.

The Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission exercises its functions through two agencies. The functions of the Commission in relation to the Foyle and Carlingford Areas is exercised through an agency known as the Loughs Agency. The Loughs Agency is operational and has replaced the Foyle Fisheries Commission. It was also intended that the FCILC would be the General Lighthouse Authority for the island of Ireland. However, a number of complexities have arisen in terms of pursuing a transfer of the existing functions of the Commissioners of Irish Lights to the Lights Agency. This matter is currently under review and is to be taken forward upon restoration of devolved Government in Northern Ireland.

The Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission has a board of 12 members appointed by the NSMC. The Commission is Chaired by Mr Peter Savage.

The Loughs Agency was given responsibility for the functions of the Foyle Fisheries Commission on 2 December 1999. These functions, "the conservation, protection and improvement of the fisheries of the Area" were extended to the Carlingford Area. In addition, the Agency is required to promote the development of Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough for commercial and recreational purposes in the area of marine, fishery and aquaculture matters, including the development and the licensing of Aquaculture.

Fundamental to the Agency undertaking this full range of responsibilities is the amendment of the primary legislation under the authority of which the Foyle Fisheries Commission operated. This legislation, the Fisheries Act 1952 and the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1952, is currently having the necessary amendments prepared by the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Chief Executive of the Loughs Agency is Mr Derick Anderson. The Agency has a staff complement of 45 and its Headquarters are at Prehen on the River Foyle. The premises contain interpretative and education facilities.

The Exchange of Notes between the British and Irish Governments on 19 November 2002 (Cmnd 5708), provides for decisions and actions relating to the Implementation Bodies and Tourism Ireland Limited or their respective functions to be taken by the two Governments. The following decisions have been taken under The Exchange of Notes.