The sky-high cost for the construction of a bike shelter at Leinster House is ‘inexcusable and inexplicable’, the Taoiseach has said.
It emerged this week that the shelter was constructed at a cost of €336,000 to the taxpayer.
The shelter can accommodate 36 bikes.
The Minister of State for the OPW (Office of Public Works) Kieran O’Donnell has described the cost as ‘incredibly expensive’ and requested a full review into the construction deal.
Speaking ahead of Cabinet this morning, Taoiseach Simon Harris said he was angry at the sky-high spend.
“Firstly, I think everybody can see the benefit of having somewhere to park a bike in the workplace,” he said. “I think people get that.
“What they don't get is the extraordinary cost – and I don't either quite frankly.
“I think it is inexcusable and inexplicable and I welcome the fact that my colleague, the minister, has demanded answers in relation this and I await that.
“This is the sort of thing that rightly angers and annoys people, and it angers and annoys me as well, because yes, workplaces should provide somewhere to park the bike - grand - but they shouldn’t do it in a manner that is lavish or extortionate in relation to the public purse.”
“This is the sort of thing that rightly angers and annoys people.”
The Taoiseach has labelled the €336,000 cost of Leinster Houses new bike shelter “inexcusable and inexplicable”.
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) September 3, 2024
It is understood the bike shelter costs included nearly €3,000 for archaeological services and €11,000 for quantity surveying.
It means construction of the shelter itself cost over €322,000.
It is understood the bike shelter costs included nearly €3,000 for archaeological services and €11,000 for quantity surveying.
It means construction of the shelter itself cost over €322,000.
Yesterday the Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said the OPW had questions to answer regarding the "incredibly expensive" project.
The OPW has been contacted for comment.
