Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 1

Written Answers. - Milk Quota.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

131 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the compensation which will be paid to those farmers who claim they did not get sufficient quota in 1983/84; the progress made in the matter during negotiations with the milk rights group; the number of farmers involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16366/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

Following judgments in the Supreme Court in 1997 in favour of a number of plaintiffs, this matter was referred to the High Court for assessment of damages. The High Court has dealt with a number of those cases over recent months. The proceedings in the High Court concern seven plaintiffs in the Duff case and 100 plaintiffs involved in associated cases.

No special provision has been made in respect of any persons or group of persons who are not party to the proceedings in the Duff case and other associated cases. 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.

A number of meetings has been held in recent months with the milk rights group referred to by the Deputy. The most recent meeting was on 27 April between the group and officials of my Department. The meeting was at the request of the group and was on a "without prejudice" basis. At this meeting the group's representatives confirmed that its objective was to secure extra milk quota for its members and suggested that this might be met out of the additional quota allocated to this country as an outcome of the Agenda 2000 negotiations. The group also provided some statistical information in relation to the total quota requirements of its members who, according to the group, number 1,200.

My Department's officials took note of the group's representations.