FINANCE minister Conor Murphy confirmed yesterday that a planned order with the Irish government for personal protection equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers had fallen through.
Last week Mr Murphy said a "significant order" had been placed for equipment including face masks and goggles.
However, the Sinn Féin minister admitted yesterday the order did not go ahead, citing "major economic powers" entering the "global race" for PPE equipment to protect frontline health staff from contracting or spreading coronavirus.
Mr Murphy, who had faced increasing questions over the order, told reporters at Stormont that it collapsed "despite the best efforts of all involved".
He said the requirements were sent to the Irish government last Friday night and arrangements were made for payment before learning on Thursday that supply lines had been bought over by others.
"This is a fast moving and volatile market, however rest assured this executive will do everything we possibly can to protect our frontline workers."
The minister added that discussions had taken place with the UK Department of Health on PPE, and within hours yesterday health secretary Matt Hancock confirmed a delivery of five million PPE items was on its way.
A spokesperson for the Irish Department of Health said yesterday that "it has not so far proved possible to place a joint order" with the north, blaming "an increasingly challenging international environment".
News that the deal was not completed prompted criticism of Mr Murphy, with North Antrim TUV MLA Jim Allister calling for his resignation.
SDLP assembly member Matthew O’Toole also called for more information.
"The finance minister must now provide clear detail on what additional equipment has been procured, when it will be delivered and how it will be managed. Key workers deserve that, at the very least."
Meanwhile, Crumlin-based Randox Health has confirmed that Covid-19 testing kits made by the firm will be distributed directly in Northern Ireland.
The announcement yesterday eased concerns that kits being made locally were being sold the the UK Government, only to be redistributed to the north further down the line.
Mr Murphy was among critics of the plan this week, questioning if it was "logical" to do so when tests were urgently required here.
Randox said yesterday: "The planning for the national distribution of test kits is being managed by the various relevant statutory agencies, however Randox has made the case that tests should be made available locally.
"Following that engagement, tests have now been made directly available within Northern Ireland and Randox will continue to support Northern Ireland within the UK national plan."
In other news yesterday, the NI Air Ambulance service has been temporarily suspended in order to "free up key clinical staff" who will be redeployed elsewhere during the Covid-19 crisis.
NI Ambulance Service chief executive Michael Bloomfield said the move was a "difficult decision", adding: "Having the highly skilled members of this team at the frontline is crucial to support our community in the most appropriate way during the extraordinary challenges we are facing in managing the pandemic."
