Lessons will be learned from ‘infamous’ Leinster House bike shed, Dáil told

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

The Ceann Comhairle has said “lessons will be learned” from the “exorbitant” cost of the now “infamous” bike shed at Leinster House.

Sean O’Fearghail said “it is a profound embarrassment” that a glass, granite and steel shelter for 18 bikes cost €336,000, and said “the depth of public anger is entirely justified”.

The glass covering, located on the grounds of Leinster House, has been the subject of criticism and ridicule for its high cost.

A breakdown from the Office of Public Works (OPW) shows almost €284,000 was spent on construction and installation, almost €4,000 on archaeological services, and more than €10,000 on contract services.

The chairman of the OPW, which is the landlord of Leinster House and other historic buildings, is preparing a report on the bike shed project for Minister of State Kieran O’Donnell.

Mr O’Fearghail said he was calling the head of the OPW to attend the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission meeting next week to answer questions about how the project came into being.

“Specifically, it is important to find out why the value for money of the project wasn’t queried when the cost became clear to the OPW.”

He said that TDs and Senators had received “countless” emails and texts about the cost of the “infamous” shelter.

“Nobody can understand how a simple structure to park bikes ended up costing 336,000 of taxpayers’ money,” Mr O’Fearghail said as the Dáil resumed after the summer recess.

“I know that I speak for everyone at this house, and I say that it’s a profound embarrassment, and the depth of public anger is entirely justified.”

He added: “As public representatives, we don’t get everything right, and we can be rightly criticised for some of the things we do.

“However, we understand that taxpayers’ money must be spent prudently and carefully, and we know how galling it is for those struggling to pay their bills to read about excessive expenditure of this nature on a bike shelter in Leinster House.

“So let me say that whatever the findings of the OPW review, lessons must be and will be learned, and there cannot be a repeat of such unwarranted and indefensible expenditure of taxpayers’ money.”