Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has criticised the Leinster House’s new bicycle shed, which cost over €335,000, describing it as overly expensive. The facility, which can accommodate 18 bikes, prompted Ryan to question the Office of Public Works (OPW) about their expenditure.
The surprised minister told reporters that he was unaware of any justification for such a high cost, and stressed the importance of using public funds judiciously. The OPW’s expenditure breakdown revealed that the major part of the expense, €322,282, was allocated for the main construction and installation process. Additionally, €2,952 and €10,816 went towards funding archaeological services and quantity surveying services, including contract administration services, respectively. The archeological advice was sought to ensure the shelter’s compatibility with the surrounding parliamentary complex.
Ryan, the former Green Party leader, acknowledged the necessity for bike sheds but voiced his concern over the high costs. He emphasised on finding cheaper solutions nationwide. If the public transport infrastructure costs are high, it would impede state’s ability to deliver it, said Ryan.
Using this costly bike shed as an example, he underscored the need to offer good architectural design and street furniture, that the public desires, without escalating the cost. He also suggested that such an incident could strengthen the argument for cheaper and standardised projects.
In a different context, Mr. Ryan expressed the enforcement of a two-drink maximum at airports would be challenging. This view comes after the CEO of Ryanair, Michael O’Leary, voiced his support for such restrictions a week earlier, viewing them as a solution to inappropriate behaviour during flights.
While the Minister acknowledged that there are indeed conduct issues on flights, and he could grasp why Mr O’Leary champions this restriction, he found the practical implementation of such a measure elusive.
Mr Ryan highlighted the importance of passenger conduct, with safety as the ultimate priority in aviation. Nevertheless, he questioned the feasibility of enforcing such a limit.
“There are already sizable penalties in place for those who behave inappropriately during a flight, and disrupting an airplane via ill behaviour is not something the courts take lightly,” declared Mr Ryan. He suggested that maintaining this system might be more effective than monitoring alcohol consumption at the airport.
The Minister communicated these views while launching a new initiative and funding scheme for community climate interaction in Baldoyle, North Dublin. Despite the different context, the underlying message is compliance with rules for public safety.