Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The question I asked was whether the product had been tested before it was approved by the Department. That is a crucial issue. We know, for example, that the HSE purchased 3 million units of this product, some 1 million of which were being sent to healthcare centres, including nursing homes and perhaps even hospitals. That is above and beyond the issue pertaining to schools.

What is the process for these types of products? Is it that the Department simply receives written documentation from these companies and then approves the products? Are spot samples taken? Is it a case of companies being taken at their word? More important, what recourse is there with regard to State expenditure? Is there provision within the Department to recoup the cost, which was substantial? I understand it runs to tens of millions of euro across all Departments.

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