The Taipei Representative Office in Ireland, in partnership with the Taiwan Ireland Association, has donated a batch of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). The materials, which were made in Taiwan and fully comply to EU regulations, were given to Kilkenny City on June 12th in order to assist with the city’s epidemic prevention. Guests present at the event included Representative Pierre Yang of the Taipei Representative Office in Ireland, the chairman of the Ireland Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Association, John McGuinness TD, Chairman of the Kilkenny City Council, Andrew McGuinness, Cllr. Pat Fitzpatrick, Chairman of Taiwan Ireland Association, Dr Angel Cheng and Julien Thibault, co-founder of Scieneering Consulting Ltd.
Most noticeably among the materials donated were the 2,000 medical masks that were shipped to Ireland immediately after Taiwan lifted the mask export ban on June 1st. In addition, the donation included personal protective equipment such as infrared forehead thermometers, gowns, goggles, and medical gloves.
Representative Yang noted that Ireland has entered the second stage of its roadmap anti-epidemic plans as of June 8th. As members of Irish society, the donation of high-quality PPE to help Ireland to fight the epidemic is the intention of the Taiwanese community. At the same time, Taiwan also hopes to establish long-term, mutually beneficial cooperation with Ireland as the impact of the epidemic alters many of the operating models we are accustomed to. For example, the global PPE manufacturing ecosystem has transformed from what is known as a "monopoly world factory" to "local manufacturing" and "regional short chain". Taiwan is very willing to cooperate with enterprises in Kilkenny City in order to produce masks with Taiwanese machinery and European materials, as well other epidemic PPE.
Deputy McGuinness and Chairman McGuinness were greatly appreciative of the Taiwanese community’s donation of medical materials, echoing Yang’s remarks regarding the desire for further cooperation between Ireland and Taiwan to produce PPE locally. They also pointed out that Taiwan has performed excellently in the prevention and treatment of the coronavirus epidemic, a system that is worth learning from, and hopes that Ireland and Taiwan will continue to strengthen medical and health ties in the future.
Chairman Cheng added her own remarks, stating that in the face of the epidemic, the Irish and Taiwanese share a common goal. In this spirit, Ms Cheng launched a fund-raising event which received an enthusiastic response from the Taiwan community. In the future, she said that she will continue to do her best to contribute to the health and safety of Ireland as she continues to live and work here, ensuring that reliable medical supplies for all who need them.