Vol. 515 No. 3
150 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the legal bill of his Department in fighting the milk quota action groups cases, three of which were settled in the High Court and were lost by the State; if he will deal with the 90 farmers who have individual cases pending without having to go to the High Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6177/00]
The bill of costs of the solicitors acting for the plaintiffs in the cases referred to by the Deputy has been submitted to the office of the Chief State Solicitor. This bill was submitted for taxation by the plaintiffs' solicitors and has yet to be determined. It is not, therefore, appropriate for me to comment further on the matter at this stage.
The cases of the remaining plaintiffs are at present under active consideration by my Department and its legal advisers who are in contact with the plaintiffs, legal advisers.
