Desmond J. O'Malley
Ceist:125 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the serious losses incurred by many deer farmers in different parts of the country through the purchase of deer from a company (details supplied) at grossly inflated prices and the failure of that company to repurchase the deer or their progeny as agreed by them; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the deer concerned were not Hungarian pure-bred, as alleged by the company, but were in fact British culls; the way, if any, in which the farmers concerned will be compensated for the losses sustained; whether his Department or Bord Bia will make arrangements for the purchase of deer in this country for the venison market here and abroad in order to avoid a situation where the market is dominated by one firm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20073/97]