Oifig an Phríomhoifigigh Airgeadais
Feidhmeannacht na
Seirbhíse Sláinte
Seomra 125, Ospidéal
Dr. Steevens
BÁC 8

Office of the Chief Financial Officer
Health Service Executive
Room 125, Dr Steevens
Hospital
Dublin 8

28th July 2020

Re: FOI
I am seeking the following under the FOI Act.
1. Records showing the amount paid out by the HSE to Aer Lingus for the 259 Dublin Beijing return
flights transporting PPE to Ireland.
2. Copies of the most recent four invoices signed off by the HSE or submitted by Aer Lingus concerning
the PPE flights.

Dear

,

I refer to your Freedom of Information request

above which has been referred to me for response.

A final decision has been made on your request by myself, Sarah Anderson, FOI Decision maker, HSE
Corporate Finance. I may be contacted by telephone or email (contact details noted at the end of this letter)
in order to answer any questions you may have, and to assist you generally in this matter.
I have considered the provision of the FOI Act 2014 and I have decided to give you access to the records you
have requested.
Context:
The environment in which procurement activity was conducted in response to the pandemic was
unprecedented. All global healthcare systems faced enormous challenges in securing Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) necessary to manage and contain the pandemic.
As part of the pandemic response, HSE concluded an overarching Framework Agreement with China Resource
Pharmaceutical Group (CRPG) for the supply of essential PPE. The transportation of this PPE in a timely
manner was critical and necessary to the pandemic response. The HSE agreed Heads of Terms with Aer
Lingus, our national carrier, to open a standing airbridge between Dublin and Beijing on a cost plus basis.
A VFM review has been conducted by HSE and the rates proposed by Aer Lingus were considered competitive
in the circumstances.
The airbridge operated for a total of 14 weeks between 29 March and 26 June. In total there were 259 Dublin
– Beijing rotations, which represented the largest cargo operation by air in the history of the State.

 Aer Lingus operated up to five flights a day over the 14 weeks and in total flew 4.75 million kilometres and
transported 35,000 cubic metres or 4,000 tonnes comprising over 86 million pieces of PPE.
Part 1 of your request:
See in table below a summary showing the amount paid out by the HSE to Aer Lingus for flights Dublin Beijing
return at the date of your request 29th June 2020.
Table 1
Clearing date

Doc ref:

Reference

Amount €

Paid/rec'd

Doc Type

Number of
flights

28/04/2020 R1610243

R1610243

3,442,530.00

Yes

Invoice

30

11/05/2020 R1610258

R1610258

1,721,265.00

Yes

Invoice

15

05/06/2020 R1610276

R1610276

2,090,344.16

Yes

Invoice

18

Total Invoiced by Aer Lingus and paid as at
30/6/20

7,254,139.16
Notes:
1. Data sourced from the midlands general ledger at at 22.07.20.
2. Please note that this is draft data and is as yet unaudited.

63

I attach copies of these invoices (which I note have previously been forwarded to you by my colleague Ronan
McHugh FOI officer procurement on 30th June by email) in Appendix 1 of this letter for your convenience.
Part 2 of your request:
Please see below a summary of the most recent four invoices (plus credit note) signed off by the HSE or
submitted by Aer Lingus concerning the PPE flights.

Table 2
Clearing date

Doc ref:

Reference

Amount €

Paid/rec'd

Doc Type

R1610338

3,889,611.00

No

Invoice

33

R1610339

7,072,020.00

No

Invoice

60

R1610296

6,011,217.00

No

Invoice

51

R1610297

6,364,818.00

No

Invoice

54

R661156

-229,502.00

No

Cr note

-2

Total invoiced by Aer Lingus as at 22/7/20 but
not paid.

23,108,164.00
Notes:
1. Data sourced from the midlands general ledger at at 22.07.20.
2. Please note that this is draft data and is as yet unaudited.

196

I attach copies of these invoices in Appendix 2 of this letter.

Rights of Appeal
You may appeal this decision. In the event that you need to make such an appeal, you can do so by writing to
the FOI National Lead Office, HSE National Communications Division, Scott Building, Midland Regional
Hospital Campus, Arden Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Your correspondence should include a fee of €30 for
processing the appeal. Payment should be made by way of a bank draft, money order, postal order or
personal cheque made payable to the Health Service Executive. You should make your appeal within 4 weeks
from the date of this notification, where a day is defined as a working day excluding Saturdays, Sundays and
public holidays. The making of a late appeal may be permitted in certain circumstances. The appeal will
involve a complete reconsideration of the matter by a more senior member of staff of this body.

  Appendix 1

    Appendix 2