Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 188: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that vaccines acquired to combat bird flu are sourced from a company that was forced to close its plant temporarily due to a failure to meet safety standards; if she has ensured that all checks have been carried out to ensure that standards are fully in accordance with international requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8920/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I announced the purchase of H5N1 vaccine on 24 February. We have secured sufficient H5N1 vaccine for 200,000 people, that is, 400,000 doses. The vaccine is scheduled for delivery in May and October 2006. This purchase forms part of the award of contracts to Baxter and Chiron, announced by the Department of Health in London, for supply of H5N1 vaccine. This is part of our overall pandemic preparedness strategy.

The UK tendering exercise was conducted in accordance with the EU procurement regulations. Five tenders were received and these were assessed against pre-determined criteria. The tender bids from Baxter and Chiron were judged best to meet all the required criteria, including technical and scientific requirements as well as providing the best value for money.

The Chiron H5N1 vaccine is being manufactured in Italy and not at the site in Liverpool where there were manufacturing difficulties concerning the seasonal flu vaccine in 2004. I have no concerns regarding the supply of vaccine from the Italian plant.