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Written Question
Aviation: EU Law
Monday 13th February 2023

Asked by: Stephen Farry (Alliance - North Down)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2004 on establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights, and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 295/91, what plans he has to review the compensation provisions contained in those regulations; and if he will make it his policy to ensure that any new legislative proposals brought forward on air passenger rights have a primary objective of providing a high level of consumer protection.

Answered by Jesse Norman

The Government is committed to protecting the rights of passengers when travelling by air.

Last year the Department consulted on a range of aviation consumer issues, including ways in which compensation available for delayed domestic UK flights could be amended. Its consultation also looked at other ways to bolster air passenger rights and support the industry to provide the best service possible, including how consumers’ rights are enforced.

The Department is reviewing all the responses received and will set out next steps shortly.


Written Question
Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) Order 2023
Thursday 9th February 2023

Asked by: Stephen Farry (Alliance - North Down)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to The Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) Order 2023, which Government body will be responsible for enforcing that Order outside of harbour limits.

Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency will be the Government body responsible for enforcement and all prosecutions under the Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) Order 2023 when it comes into force on 31 March 2023.


Written Question
Motor Vehicles: Lighting
Monday 23rd January 2023

Asked by: Stephen Farry (Alliance - North Down)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January to Question 120201 on Motor Vehicles: Lighting, if he will make a comparative assessment of the impact of the brightness of LED headlights and conventional motor vehicle headlights on people with vision difficulties, including incipient cataracts.

Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The brightness of LED headlamps is subject to the same provisions as other vehicle lighting technologies which must strike a balance between illuminating the road ahead and preventing unnecessary glare. The 2018 research previously referenced in Question 120201 found no evidence of increased light sensitivity risk from LED lamps when compared with other light sources and, due to the absence of ultraviolet radiation, suggested that it might help reduce the risk of light sensitivity in some cases.


Written Question
Motor Vehicles: Lighting
Monday 16th January 2023

Asked by: Stephen Farry (Alliance - North Down)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the brightness of modern LED vehicle headlights on people who have vision difficulties including incipient cataracts.

Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

No specific assessment has been carried out of the potential impact of the brightness of LED headlights on people with vision difficulties including incipient cataracts. However, 2018 research into emerging risks concluded overall that there is no direct adverse health effects from LED emission in normal use. Furthermore, LED headlights are subject to the same detailed requirements as other lighting technologies which include, limits on light intensity to control brightness and regulated beam patterns to minimise the occurrence of glare.


Written Question
Air Routes: Belfast
Monday 16th January 2023

Asked by: Stephen Farry (Alliance - North Down)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of Aer Lingus ceasing to provide a Belfast to London service on air connectivity between Northern Ireland and England.

Answered by Jesse Norman

British Airways, Aer Lingus’s IAG partner, has picked up the services previously operated by Aer Lingus between Belfast and London, meaning that there has been no reduction in capacity on the route.

Air connectivity between Northern Ireland (NI) and Great Britain (GB) is currently very strong with several competing services between Belfast and London, and routes from NI to several cities throughout the UK.


Written Question
Belfast-Dublin Railway Line
Monday 28th November 2022

Asked by: Stephen Farry (Alliance - North Down)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of providing UK Government funding for the development of a 60 minute fast train link between Belfast and Dublin.

Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

Responsibility for the railway network in Northern Ireland is devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive.

Lord Peter Hendy’s independent Union Connectivity Review, published in 2021, considered transport connectivity across the UK. We are considering his recommendations and will publish our response as soon as practicable.


Written Question
Aviation: Compensation
Wednesday 19th October 2022

Asked by: Stephen Farry (Alliance - North Down)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department took steps to discuss the Government's proposals on reform compensation for domestic flights with devolved administrations.

Answered by Katherine Fletcher

The Government is committed to protecting the rights of passengers when travelling by air.

The Aviation Consumer Policy Reform Consultation aimed to collect views on a range of consumer reforms, including amendments to the level of compensation available for delayed domestic UK flights. We are now conducting a comprehensive review and analysis of responses and will set out next steps shortly.

The Department for Transport has held discussions with the Devolved Administrations ahead of publication of the Aviation Consumer Policy Reform Consultation and will continue engagement going forward.


Written Question
Driving Licences: Northern Ireland
Tuesday 1st February 2022

Asked by: Stephen Farry (Alliance - North Down)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect on people from Northern Ireland of administrative difficulties caused by driving licenses having one digit less than those in Great Britain.

Answered by Trudy Harrison

Driver licensing is a devolved matter and is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive. Northern Ireland driving licence holders can use their licence to drive in Great Britain and do not need to exchange it until it expires.


Written Question
Transport: Northern Ireland
Thursday 2nd December 2021

Asked by: Stephen Farry (Alliance - North Down)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much money his Department spent on assessing the feasibility of constructing a fixed transport link between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Answered by Trudy Harrison

The Fixed Link Feasibility Study forms part of the Union Connectivity Review, independently chaired by Sir Peter Hendy CBE.

Final invoices are yet to be received.


Written Question
Ferries: Northern Ireland
Tuesday 22nd June 2021

Asked by: Stephen Farry (Alliance - North Down)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing financial support for ferry routes operating from Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK in recognition of the cost differentials of those routes compared to other transport options.

Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

The Government continues to monitor the maritime freight industry to ensure that routes are available for the transport of goods both around and outside of the UK, including between Northern Ireland and other parts of the country. As an open market the Government does not wish to disrupt competition, however if necessary, we have intervened to protect the transport of critical goods in exceptional circumstances. At present there are no specific plans to do so on routes between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.