€35m ventilator deal halted after machines didn't meet HSE standards

Regarding due diligence on Roqu’s CEO Robert Quirke (pictured), HSE procurement chief Sean Bresnan cites “lots of mentions of dealing with countries in Eastern Europe”. File photo: Julien Behal

A confidential position paper seen by the ‘Irish Examiner’ reveals the background to the aborted €35m deal to buy ventilators from China via a media company, and the risks identified by the HSE, writes Cianan Brennan.

A €35m deal to bring 1,000 medical ventilators into Ireland from China via an Irish-based media company was halted after the first tranche of €14.1m was spent, with the ventilators deemed unsuitable for use.