The €335k bike shed at Leinster House is “playing into the worst” of Irish stereotypes, according to a Green Party TD.

Public Accounts Committee (PAC) member Mark Ó Cathasaigh says he’s “raging” over the expense and has requested a detailed breakdown of how the money was spent.

The shed, which holds 36 bikes, had €3,000 of its cost allocated to archaeological services, €11,000 to administrative fees, and €38,000 to VAT.

'Extraordinary'

Speaking ahead of a Cabinet meeting this morning, Taoiseach Simon Harris described the cost as “extraordinary.”

“I think it is inexcusable and inexplicable, and I welcome the fact that my colleague, the minister, has demanded answers in relation to this, and I await that,” he said.

On Lunchtime Live today, Deputy Ó Cathasaigh said people are rightly angry.

“I’m raging about it; I think it plays into the worst type of stereotypes we have about Irish politics and Irish politicians, that we spend lavish money on things for our politicians,” he said.

“Meanwhile, we can’t get basic services in parts of the economy that we need.”

The Wicklow TD noted that a four-bed semi-detached home in Collins Avenue, a "really nice part of Waterford," would also cost €335k.

“There is nobody who can convince me that the bike shelter we see on the grounds of Leinster House is worth that kind of money,” said Deputy Ó Cathasaigh.

“I think there are serious questions to be asked about value for money for the taxpayer, and I absolutely empathise with that frustration.”

Leinster House. Image: Brian Irwin / Alamy Stock Photo

George from Cork shared his frustrations with the show regarding the expense.

“We have record numbers of homeless,” he said.

“On top of that, a cover for a bicycle is nice, but I live in Skibbereen and there is no shelter over the bus stops here.

“You have the elderly, sick, and all the other people waiting for buses out in the pouring wind and rain, while when you get into Leinster House, you have a little place to park your bike in a rain-protected area.

“I understand [the need], but €335? – it’s lunacy.”

'Serious problem'

Daniel wished to remind the show that it’s not an “isolated incident.”

“This is indicative of a much greater, much more serious problem that’s been literally haunting the country for a long time, and that is the fact that the state just simply cannot do building,” he said.

“It cannot do infrastructure effectively without the taxpayer being absolutely ripped off on every occasion, and it's costing us a lot of money every year and holding the country back.”

He added that the National Children’s Hospital was originally “pitched at €650m” and is now estimated to cost over €2.2bn.

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Main image: A cyclist uses the bike shed at Leinster House. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo