Oireachtas

Bike shed at Leinster House cost more than €335,000

Office of Public Works says high-quality structure was needed because of facility’s sensitive location

Photograph: Alan Betson, Irish Times Staff Photographer. -------------------------------------- Leinster House Photo taken on 28/3/07
The bike shelter required archaeological advice to make sure it fit in at the parliamentary complex. Photograph: Alan Betson
Ken Foxe
Sun Sept 01 2024 - 15:03

A new bicycle shed for Leinster House which allows for storage of 18 bikes cost more than €335,000.

The shelter, which was hailed by Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan as a good example of public sector climate action, even required archaeological advice to make sure it fit in at the parliamentary complex.

A breakdown of costs from the Office of Public Works shows that €322,282 was spent on the main construction and installation project. A further €2,952 was spent on archaeological services while €10,816 was paid for quantity surveying services and “contract administration services”.

The huge bill has raised eyebrows in Leinster House, but the Office of Public Works (OPW) said a high-quality structure was needed because of its sensitive location.

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Asked for a copy of the business case for the project, the OPW said none had been needed. In an information note, they said: “The work referred to was carried out ... as part of the ongoing essential maintenance and upgrade works that are undertaken within the Leinster House Complex and other OPW-owned buildings.

“This is one of the core functions and responsibilities of OPW and to this end there is a continuous programme of essential fabric and upgrade works identified by the OPW team responsible for the complex, working with Oireachtas Facilities.”

Asked for a copy of the scoping documents involved in the work, the OPW refused to provide them. It claimed these had been prepared as part of a planning application and could not be released for “security reasons”.

The stand was built with a special cantilevered canopy that is designed to protect from the prevailing northerly winds. It has not been fully enclosed however, with some believing it leaves their bikes too exposed to the elements.

In July, it emerged that Labour leader Ivana Bacik had pushed for new bike shelters at Leinster House. However, the Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl replied to say it was “extremely unlikely” that planning permission would be provided and that the existing facilities were underused.

The new bike shed had been welcomed by Mr Ryan back in April as construction was under way. He said: “It’s an example of the type of changes taking place right across the public service, as part of the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate.”

Asked about the costs involved, a spokeswoman for the OPW said: “The bicycle shelter is a new structure located within the setting of Leinster House, a protected structure of national importance.

“In response to the character of the historic setting a well-designed structure with an appropriate use of high-quality materials and finish were required.”