RTE’s investigation reveals, the HSE has repeatedly provided financial assistance to the institution involved in corruption cases
Dublin: The HSE’s decision to increase financial assistance to the institution involved in the corruption case has caused controversy. Euro Surgical, a surgical supplies company based in Dublin, is still being investigated by the government after it was discovered to have paid bribes and other illegal gratuities to two managers at St. Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin. The controversial incident took place in 2015, receving massive financial assistance from SE.
Health Minister Leo Varadkar, who was in charge at the time, jumped right in and suspended the accused managers. It was also suggested that the funding of the HSE be stopped until the investigation is completed.
But the HSE lifted the ban on payments in almost three weeks, long before the investigations concluded. Figures obtained through the Freedom of Information Act also show that funding has increased. Within six months, the HSE made 15% more purchases from Eurosurgical.
Managers David Byrne and Ger Russell are both involved in the bribery scandal. Furthermore, Byrne and Russell were fired by the firm for engaging in unrelated illegal activities. They were also sentenced to three years in prison for hospital fraud. The move followed the leak of the company’s confidential commercial information.
However, the HSE’s explanation is that it continues to purchase goods from Eurosurgical because the contract is in place. The HSE’s chief procurement officer, John Swords, told a parliamentary committee that steps had been taken to thoroughly investigate the incidents. However, nothing was found to be wrong with it. The HSE had completed four eurosurgical reviews of various hospitals. However, the RTI response also revealed that no evidence of fraud was discovered.
The HSE had hired the financial consulting firm Deloitte to investigate the situation. The allegation that this was a farce was strongly raised. The Deloitte investigation report also identified numerous limitations. The investigation focused primarily on the correspondence between Eurosurgical and the hospitals. Nothing wrong was found in it. Deloitte was only permitted to interview the accused company’s executives and directors. That didn’t help either.
According to the Garda Press Office, there is no ongoing investigation into this incident. The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, on the other hand, was looking into the matter.Garda has stated that no evidence of criminal activity has been discovered. But neither St. Vincent’s University Hospital nor HSE is yet ready for any kind of response related to this incident.
Transparency International’s Irish chief executive, John Devitt, said the HSE’s move was surprising. He also stated that these transactions are eroding HSE’s credibility.
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