Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Apr 1996

Vol. 463 No. 6

Written Answers. - Recovery of Moneys.

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

263 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the monetary amount he recovered from the fourth and fifth named defendants in relation to the High Court judgment regarding Emerald Meats Ltd. v. him, the Attorney General. Goldstar Meats and Rangeland Meats, delivered on 9 July 1991, and the perfected order of 12 August 1991 where a sum for contribution amounting to 50 per cent of the damages which he, as the first named defendant, was liable to pay the plaintiff in the action in question was ordered by the High Court; if he will give a breakdown of the amount recovered from the joint defendants between interests and costs; the status of the Supreme Court appeal in the case; and the amount of his own costs to date. [7092/96]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

The order perfected by the High Court on 12 August adjudged that the Department should recover from Goldstar Meats and Rangeland Meats 50 per cent of the costs, not damages, which the Department would be liable to pay to the plaintiff with effect from the date they joined my Department as co-defendants in the case in February 1991.

Execution of this order has been stayed pending the outcome of the appeal to the Supreme Court by my Department and certain beef processors. The appeal was heard from 30 November to 6 December 1994 and the judgment of the Supreme Court has not yet been delivered. The cost to the State of defending this case, which amounts to £23,000 to date, will be borne by the Office of the Attorney General.