Calls for watchdog to investigate 'inexplicable' cost of Leinster House bike shelter

Cork-based builder, Kieran McCarthy, said that while he could not provide an estimate for a similar bike shed outside Leinster House, he said that the cost itself was 'very large'

The shelter on the Merrion Square side of Leinster House is built to accommodate 18 bicycles and cost €322,282 for both construction and installation. Picture: Arthur Carron/Collins

There have been calls for the Dáil’s powerful public spending watchdog to investigate the €335,000 bike shelter constructed on the grounds of Leinster House.

There has been widespread criticism of the cost of the bike shed, with Taoiseach Simon Harris describing it as “extortionate” and “inexcusable”.

The Office of Public Works (OPW), which oversaw the construction, has confirmed that a review of the project has been sought by junior OPW minister Kieran O’Donnell.

The OPW has refused to set out the initial budget for the shelter, saying the review is underway. A spokesperson added that Mr O’Donnell wants to “establish all aspects” before further comments are made.

The shelter itself, on the Merrion Square side of Leinster House, is built to accommodate 18 bicycles and cost €322,282 for both construction and installation.

An additional €2,952 was spent on archaeological services, while €10,816 went to quantity surveying services as well as “contract administration services”.

The Taoiseach said people are able to understand the benefits of bicycle storage in workplaces. “What they don’t get is the extraordinary sum of money this has cost and I don’t either,” Mr Harris said.

I think it is inexcusable and inexplicable. 

"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.”

Mr Harris welcomed the investigation launched by Kieran O’Donnell.

Meanwhile, there have been calls for the Oireachtas’ powerful Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to investigate the spending on the bike shelter.

“Given the amount of money that has been expended here, the PAC should examine it,” Fianna Fáil TD for Dun Laoghaire and PAC member, Cormac Devlin, said.

An immediate full review has been requested around the construction of the bike shelter installed at Leinster House which cost €335,000. Picture: Arthur Carron/Collins

He said it is important for the PAC to discuss the matter with both the OPW and Houses of the Oireachtas, aside from their normal engagement with the public spending watchdog.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said it was an “incredible cost for a mere bike shelter”, while Justice Minister Helen McEntee said it was an “astronomical” amount of money to pay.

Cork-based builder, Kieran McCarthy, told the Irish Examiner that while he could not provide an estimate for a similar bike shed outside Leinster House, he said that the cost itself was “very large”.

Mr McCarthy said the costs would normally be higher at a site like Leinster House, due to key architectural and archaeological interests.

Mr McCarthy said:

There are strings attached, but the price does seem high. There isn’t an off-the-shelf price that would cover this.

The Irish Examiner queried a number of aspects of the build, including the amount initially budgeted for the project as well as the overall framework agreement for its construction. The department declined to provide the information until after the review.

This is not the first time that the Government and Oireachtas has come under pressure due to issues regarding procurement. In 2019, controversy erupted after it was revealed that a printer too large for the Dáil had been bought, leading to a €2m bill for the Oireachtas.