Vol. 495 No. 7
337 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the March 1997 Supreme Court judgment on the case taken by the milk rights group will be extended to all farmers in the farm modernisation scheme who could not put their certified plans into operation due to milk quota regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21664/98]
The Deputy will be aware that legal proceedings, which were taken by a limited number of plaintiffs, are still the subject of litigation in the High Court following the Supreme Court ruling in their favour. The judgments of the Supreme Court did not deal with the entitlements of individual plaintiffs. The claims made raise complex issues still to be determined by the courts. While other persons have made approaches to my Department in relation to this matter, no special provision has been made for any arrangements in respect of any persons or group of persons who are not party to pending legal proceedings.
It is open to any milk producer to apply to the Milk Quota Appeals Tribunal for additional quota on the grounds of hardship.
