It took 67 minutes for the first mention of the bike shed — for 66 minutes through the speeches of Finance Minister Jack Chambers and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe, nobody had mentioned  the €336,000 white elephant tucked to the side of the back of the Leinster House campus.

Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty took on the responsibility, reminding Donohoe of the shelter, which has cost more in public goodwill than it did in cash, which is really saying something.

You have reached your article limit. Already a subscriber? Sign in

Continue reading for €5

Unlock unlimited access and exclusive benefits

View offer

Cancel anytime

CONNECT WITH US TODAY

WHATSAPP

NEWSLETTERS

NOTIFICATIONS

Be the first to know the latest news and updates

more budget 2025 articles

Ministers will be warned to focus on getting value for money

Government spending far exceeds budget 2025 plan, warns fiscal watchdog

Paschal Donohoe: 'No reason' to change tax receipt forecasts despite trade war escalation 

More in this section

The climate change warnings are getting louder — are we just refusing to listen?

Paul Hosford: Ministerial meeting in Ukrainian bomb shelter reminds us of the stakes 

If Donald Trump were your ageing father, when would you take away his car keys?



Paul Hosford: Ukraine war merely another chapter in Russia's aggression against its neighbour

READ NOW