Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“The controversy which arose in the aftermath of the phantom “joint order” with Dublin for PPE from China and the deputy First Minister claiming to the Assembly on 23 March 2020 that “Just this morning, we signed a contract that will see additional PPE brought in”, has taken a fresh twist.
“On 20 April 2020 the Finance Minister, Mr Murphy, wrote to the Finance Committee reference Ms O’Neill’s claim saying she was not referring to the Chinese order. He continued, “The deputy First Minister was referring to a contract for PPE awarded on 20 March 2020 by CPD on behalf of Forensic Science NI (FSNI).”
“Believing the placing of this order to be unrelated to Covid-19, I tabled an Assembly Question to the Justice Minister, as below.
Mr Jim Allister (North Antrim) has asked:
30 April 2020 AQW 3939/17-22
To ask the Minister of Justice, in respect of contract 2020/S 074-177458 for occupational clothing, special workwear and accessories for Forensic Science Northern Ireland, to specify (i) the date(s) on which the contract notice was issued and published on the EU’s TED system; (ii) what date was set for the close of tenders; (iii) whether the order was motivated by, or related to, the COVID-19 crisis; and (iv) when is any personal protection equipment arising from this order due to be delivered.
ANSWER
(i) The Department of Finance published a tender for PPE and consumables on behalf of FSNI. Notice dispatched on 18/10/2019, published on eTenders 20/10/2019, published on TED 24/10/2019.
(ii) The closing date for tenders was 21 November 2019.
(iii) The procurement was instigated prior to COVID-19 to replace a PPE and consumable contract which was due to expire.
(iv) No confirmed date for delivery is currently available from the supplier.
NAOMI LONG MLA
“The Justice Minister has emphatically confirmed the NIFS order was not Covid related. So what was the deputy First Minister referring to and what was her colleague, Mr Murphy, asking us to believe?
“Both ministers need to clear this up.”