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Written Question
Airports: Unmanned Air Vehicles
Wednesday 8th May 2019

Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect of the recent introduction by the Civil Aviation Authority of Flight Restriction Zones around protected aerodromes on the interests of members of the British Model Flying Association in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Jesse Norman

The flight restriction zone around aerodromes was developed in response to submissions gathered through our consultation on the safe and effective regulation of drones, ‘Taking Flight: The Future of Drones in the UK’. There was significant interest in the consultation, which closed in September 2018 and received around 5,000 responses. A range of options were considered when developing the extended restriction zone and factors including impacts on all airspace users, safety, security and the communication and enforceability of the zone were all evaluated.

The new legislation takes the same approach as the former restriction zone by allowing any small unmanned aircraft, including model aircraft, to fly within the restriction zone where the relevant permission has been received. When an Air Traffic Control Unit (ATCU) is operational, permission needs to be sought from this unit.

The CAA will be assessing the permissions process as part of a wider review of airport restriction zones later this year.


Written Question
Commissioners of Irish Lights
Monday 10th July 2017

Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Commissioners of Irish Lights will remain responsible for lighthouses and other marine navigational aids in and in waters around Northern Ireland when the UK leaves the EU; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by John Hayes

The Commissioners of Irish Lights have responsibility for aids to navigation for the whole of the island of Ireland and are accountable to the UK Department for Transport for their operations in UK waters.

No change to this arrangement is envisaged when the UK leaves the European Union.


Written Question
Commissioners of Irish Lights
Monday 10th July 2017

Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to continue UK financial contributions to the Commissioners of Irish Lights for maintenance of lighthouses and other navigational aids in the waters around Northern Ireland if the UK leaves the London convention after the UK leaves the EU; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by John Hayes

We have no plans to change the current financing arrangements for Irish Lights once the UK leaves the European Union or as a result of any decision on the London Convention.


Written Question
Lighthouses: Northern Ireland
Wednesday 7th December 2016

Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to take steps to gain jurisdiction over lighthouses on islands off the coast of Northern Ireland after the UK's exit from the EU; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by John Hayes

Arrangements for the provision of lighthouses and other aids to navigation sit outside of European Union regulations under the international convention on Safety of Lives at Sea (SOLAS) managed by the International Maritime Organization.

The provision of all aids to navigation safety for Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Commissioners of Irish Lights. The Commissioners of Irish Lights have responsibility for aids to navigation for the whole of the island of Ireland and are accountable to the UK Department for Transport for their operations in UK waters. No change to this arrangement is envisaged as a result of the UK’s exit from the European Union.


Written Question
Driving Licences: Northern Ireland
Wednesday 14th September 2016

Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the reasons are for the difference in cost between professional driving licences issued in Northern Ireland and Great Britain; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Andrew Jones

Driver licensing is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland. Fees for all driver licence transactions in Northern Ireland are a matter for the Department for Infrastructure.


Written Question
Unmanned Air Vehicles
Monday 15th December 2014

Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to bring forward proposals to amend the law relating to the unauthorised use of unmanned drones in the airspace over the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Robert Goodwill

There are no current plans to amend the law relating to the use of small unmanned aircraft in the airspace over the UK. The Air Navigation Order 2009 prevents a person causing or permitting an aircraft to endanger the safety of a person or property, and prohibits the flying of these small unmanned aircraft over or within 150 meters of built up areas – including airports – unless approved by the Civil Aviation Authority. The Civil Aviation Authority is launching an awareness campaign “You have control. Be Safe! Be Legal!”


Written Question
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Prosecutions
Wednesday 5th November 2014

Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many prosecutions have been brought against operators of unmanned aircraft in (a) England and Wales and (b) Northern Ireland in the last 12 months; how many such prosecutions were successful; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Robert Goodwill

In the last 12 months the Civil Aviation Authority has prosecuted two operators of remotely piloted aircraft for breaches of the Air Navigation Order in England. Both prosecutions resulted in convictions.


Written Question
Unmanned Air Vehicles: Northern Ireland
Wednesday 5th November 2014

Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to tackle wrongful use of unmanned aircraft operating within the airspace over Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Robert Goodwill

The operation of unmanned aircraft within the United Kingdom is governed by the Air Navigation Order 2009. Additional guidance on operating unmanned aircraft legally is provided in Civil Aviation Publication 722 published by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The CAA will investigate any breaches of the Air Navigation Order and will prosecute offenders where appropriate.