This week, it was reported that a company called Narooma Ltd claimed at the High Court that HSE had failed to honour a contract for the provision of 350 medical ventilators to a total cost of €7.4m.
It claims that these proceedings are brought forward under a contract signed on the 27th March last. Narooma does not employ any staff, owns a total of €100 in share capital, and is based out of a residential address.
The company, who has never actually traded, is in effect a shell company. They have no website, and according to its returns, the company’s email address is that of its accountant. This raises further questions about the competency of HSE procurement. Last week a shipment of PPE included €4m worth of equipment unfit for purpose.
Profiteering in the current climate cannot be allowed. The state has given Gardai incredible powers to enforce social distancing rules but where are the measures to stop companies putting their profit line before the collective interests?
Capitalism is sick. We cannot be beholden to the demands of corporations or their profits Instead we must take into public control and planning the production of essential commodities like PPE, ventilators and medicines.
