Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister:-
“As part of Sinn Féin’s grandstanding during the current crisis the Finance Minister made much of his announcement that he had placed a joint order with the Dublin Government for PPE equipment from China.
“Now, it is alleged there may be no such order!
“Giving the public false hope at this critical time would be unforgivable.
“Last Friday (27th March) Conor Murphy was clear. He said:
“We have agreed a joint order with Dublin and there is procurement going on through the British system as well.”
“To be prudent, we want to be sure that if the crisis that is coming our way becomes more severe in Britain and those supply lines across the Irish Sea dry up, then we want our own supply chain here. It is a joint effort.
“The order has been placed and we want it here as soon as possible, and supplied to our frontline workers as soon as possible.”
“Murphy went on to say it was a “significant order which should satisfy our supply demands” and, “We want all of the people on our frontline, most particularly in our health service but across all services, to be confident, to be assured, going into work that they are protected … “
“Urgent and unequivocal clarity is now required.
“If it turns out the public and the Assembly was misled by Conor Murphy, then, he should resign forthwith.”
I am today tabling this urgent Assembly Question:-
2 day Priority written Question:To ask the Minister of Finance a) was there an order placed, in association with the government of the Republic of Ireland, with China for PPE equipment; b) when was any such order placed; c) what was ordered; d) was there a written contract and, if so, who signed it; e) what was the total contract price; f) what was the contracted delivery date; g) what procurement process was followed and who approved it; h) for which departments and services was the equipment intended; i) has such equipment been delivered and, if not, when is it expected; j) was the order approved by the Executive; and k) did the minister mislead the Assembly when on 31 March 2020 he said: “As of last week, we have a joint approach to PPE procurement, the one that is identified in the joint order with the Government in Dublin.”