Might I propose that projected future structural plans be required to deliver cost calculations using “National Bicycle Shed units” as a less intimidating figure? Accordingly, the costs for the children’s hospital would be represented as 6,865 NBS instead of the alarming €2.3 billion currently under discussion.
In his authoritative book, “An Outline of European Architecture”, Nikolaus Pevsner once asserted that a bicycle shed is indeed a building, whereas structures like the Lincoln Cathedral are remarkable pieces of architecture. The aesthetic appeal of a building decrees whether it could be deemed architecture. Does this wisdom by Pevsner compel us to rethink the architectural relevance of the Leinster House bike shed?
It appears that the concept of “dynamic pricing” is now influencing the value of bike sheds.
Additional costs for the project included the storage of the printing press priced at €14,760, outsourcing costs totaling €100,000, and costs undertaken by the Office of Public Works amounting to €221,325. Unpredictable charges have thus included “building costs to the Oireachtas,” a total of expended €314,453, evidently generated from housing this larger-than-anticipated structure. Would that the device had been a 3D printer instead.
If my assumption is correct, we should have been able to construct the Leinster House bicycle storage for far less than the stated €336,000. The future bicycle storages for the “new” National Children’s Hospital should also be significantly cheaper. Yours sincerely, Liam Stenson, Galway.
In order to control expenses, the investigation into the cost of the Leinster House bicycle storage ought to be conducted concurrently with another inquiry. Yours faithfully, Brian Ahern, Clonsilla, Dublin 15.
Around Sweden, one can find excellently built, modern, fashionable and completely safe bicycle storages that are reasonably priced. Yours truly, Margaret Sheeran, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Were the costs not decided upon prior to the onset of the construction? Yours faithfully, Claire Walsh, Dublin 12.
When His Holiness visited Ireland and conducted a Mass at Killineer, near Drogheda in 1979, a myriad of facilities, including bicycle storages and restrooms, were mounted for the 250,000+ attendees. Following the event, these structures were dismantled and parts were donated to St Peter’s National School in Drogheda town.
Driven by resourcefulness, parents assembled a playhouse on the school premises at no expense. The playhouse still remains, 45 years later. Yours sincerely, Bobby Rusk, Drogheda, Co Louth.
Considering the combined figure of 160 TDs, 60 senators, and 650 additional personnel in the Houses of the Oireachtas, which totals 870 commuters, it’s surprising that provision for only 18 bicycles is considered adequate given the current environment crisis. Yours sincerely, Brendan Treacy, Drumree, Co Meath.
Many moons ago, with no former construction experience, I managed to build a comfortable concrete home, featuring an insulated wooden floor, for my pet Labrador. Despite my dog having since passed away, his home still stands as a testament to my handy work.
In a letter to the editor, PJ McDermott of Westport, County Mayo, conveyed his intent to bid for the Office of Public Works’ forthcoming large-scale cycle shelter project. Also, a letter from John Glennon based in Hollywood, County Wicklow predicted that an impending disaster might befall the ruling party following the saga of the storage facility for bicycles during the imminent elections, hinting that the Government’s tricycle may soon need a new mudguard.
Kevin Byrne, from Bantry, County Cork, while finding the whole situation comedic reflects seriously on the fact that the amount spent – €336,000 could have been used to perform numerous cataract surgeries for elders, without having to travel to Belfast. Dr Edward Harty wondered if the Leinster Hose bike storage might be a good place to accommodate Dáil’s printer as well as bikes.
The notion of using the shed to store notorious electronic voting machines, a disastrous governmental splurge from the past, was suggested by John Naughton of Leopardstown, Dublin 18. Finally, Gerard Farrelly from Fairview, Dublin 3 remarked, in light of the latest addition to the Dáil Éireann’s architecture, at last, the phrase “a shedload of money” has been given a literal meaning.