John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans for the allocation of milk quota; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18793/06]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to revise the allocation of milk quota; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18803/06]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her proposals on the allocation of milk quota; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18797/06]

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans for the allocation of milk quota; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18786/06]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans for the reform of milk quota; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18794/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 39, 48, 63 and 76 together.

In March I announced my intention to move to a more open market system for transferring milk quotas, which will come into effect on the 1st April 2007. I made this decision because the current restructuring model will not meet the future needs of the industry and a more effective response is required in order to meet future competitive pressures.

My Department and I have made solid progress in the continuing consultations with the farm organisations and with representatives of the milk processing sector. We are now in the process of undertaking a comprehensive analysis of the issues raised and the options for dealing with them, with a view to designing an appropriate transfer mechanism. My aim is to have the new system in place before the start of the 2007/2008 milk quota year.