Vol. 550 No. 2
235 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the contract for the sup ply of fresh stocks of iodine tablets was not put out to tender; the value of the contract for such supplies; the name of the supplier who has been awarded the contract; the criteria for selection of a supplier to fulfil this contract; the basis on which the successful contractor was selected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8155/02]
The necessity of continued stocking of iodine tablets as part of the health input into the national nuclear emergency plan was reviewed as part of an update of the overall plan which is co-ordinated by the Department of Public Enterprise. It was recommended that new stocks of iodine tablets should be purchased and pre-distributed as a more effective counter measure. I accepted this recommendation and the Eastern Regional Health Authority, acting on behalf of my Department, made the necessary arrangements as a matter of urgency for tendering and purchasing of new stocks.
The European Commission was notified on 19 October 2001 of our invitation to tender for the supply of iodide or iodate tablets. The procedures laid down under Directive 93/36/EEC, which allow for an accelerated tendering process with regard to the award of public supply contracts, were followed to enable purchase of these stocks at the earliest possible opportunity. Following a thorough examination of the five tenders submitted to the ERHA a contract for the supply of potassium iodate tablets was awarded to Kelkin Limited, Unit 1, Crosslands Industrial Park, Dublin 12, on 21 December 2001. Furthermore, the relevant statutory instrument requiring medicines to have product authorisations was amended to facilitate the placement on the market of these tablets without such authorisation.
The award criteria for selection of a supplier were specified in both the tender notice and tender document as the most economically advantageous tender having regard to the date of delivery, shelf life, continuity and security of supply, quality, aesthetic and functional characteristics, technical merits, after sales service, technical back-up and price. The selection of the successful contractor was based on price and the ability to comply with the prescribed award criteria as outlined. The cost of the contract will be approximately €630,000.
