Kieran O’Donnell, the Minister of State in charge of the Office of Public Works (OPW), has demanded an urgent investigation into the expenses tied to the creation of a Leinster House bike shelter that came to €336,000. The OPW itemised expenditures revealed that the primary construction and installation totalled €322,282. Other costs accumulated from archaeological services totalling €2,952 and contract administration and quantity surveying services which amounted to €10,816. The shelter needed archaeological guidance to ensure its suitability within the parliamentary complex.
Simon Harris, the Taoiseach, expressed his support for the review at a pre-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday morning, labelling the costs as indefensible and incomprehensible. Harris noted that although the public understands the advantage of bike spaces in workplaces, they are puzzled by the reported costs, which he referred to as ‘extraordinary’. He declared such expenses are a cause of irritation to the public, stating that while workplaces should accommodate bike parking, the costs should not be excessive.
Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee echoed these sentiments at the same briefing, describing the expenditure as exorbitant and massive. “The price seems staggering for what is, at its core, a bike shed,” she remarked. McEntee revealed that O’Donnell has requested a prompt investigation into the reasons behind the shelter’s high cost, which houses 18 bikes. She admitted that without this review, the situation continues to be unclear.
The OPW responded with a statement acknowledging the need for transparency when using public funds. They explained that the construction of the bike shelter, located within the parameters of Leinster House, a structure of national significance, came with unique challenges. The shelter, composed of a steel frame and glazed canopy, is designed for longevity. The OPW stressed that the materials chosen, including Irish granite, glass, and steel, were selected to ensure durability and compatibility with the historical setting of the national parliament.