Vol. 508 No. 3
159 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position in relation to the possibility of giving additional milk quota or compensation to those in the milk rights group who were at the stage in the farm modernisation scheme of expanding their milk quota when it was first introduced; and the prospect, if any, of a resolution of this matter. [19108/99]
165 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when he will implement the Supreme Court decision in respect of milk quota for development farmers as outlined in the Barrington decision; the timescale involved in making this milk quota available to this category of farmer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18598/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 165 together.
Legal proceedings, which were taken by a limited number of plaintiffs in 1990, are still before the High Court following judgments given in their favour in the Supreme Court in 1997. The current litigation relates to the assessment of damages in respect of these plaintiffs.
While other persons have made approaches to my Department in relation to this matter, no special provisions have been made for any arrangements in respect of any persons or group of persons who are not party to those proceedings as I have received legal advice to the effect that any proceedings that may be initiated by such persons are barred by the passage of time.
