I propose to take Questions Nos. 551 and 552 together.
As already indicated, my Department has carried out investigations into allegations that milk collections from a milk supplier were credited to another milk supplier which was facilitated by the milk purchaser concerned.
As I have previously outlined to the House, the investigation carried out by officials in my Department is now complete. At my request, corrective actions have been completed by all parties concerned, including the reallocation of milk to the original supplier; the payment of the super levy fine by the supplier concerned; and the distribution of the unused quota though the ‘flexi milk’ scheme. I am currently following internal procurement procedures in order to select a company to independently verify these actions.
All the relevant papers in this case have been sent to the Chief State Solicitor’s Office for advice on whether any further action is warranted, having regard to the provisions of the Milk Quota Regulations or other legal provisions and the matter is still under consideration by that Office.