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The Leinster House bike shed

A wake-up call

Letters to the Editor. Illustration: Paul Scott
The Irish Times - Letters to the Editor.
Sat Sept 07 2024 - 00:01

Sir, – I’m a bit of a slow learner but the penny is finally beginning to drop.

€54 million for electronic voting machines? That’s dynamic polling.

€2.24 billion for a new children’s hospital? That’s dynamic tendering.

€500 for a concert ticket? That’s dynamic pricing.

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€336,000 for a bike shed? That’s dynamic sub-contracting. – Yours, etc,

NOEL SHANAGHY,

Faithlegg,

Co Waterford.

Sir, – Justine McCarthy’s litany of fiascos is a wake-up call to all politicians and senior civil servants (“If you laughed at the one about the Leinster House bike shelter, you’ll love the one about the loo rolls”, Opinion & Analysis, September 6th). Like most taxpayers, I pay my taxes on the understanding these funds are managed in a professional manner.

It now appears there is a complete lack of accountability. – Yours, etc,

MIKE CORMACK,

Blackrock,

Co Dublin.

Sir, – Perhaps in the interest of transparency, the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee might be disposed to hold their next meeting in the new shed. – Yours, etc,

CORMAC MEEHAN,

Bundoran,

Co Donegal.

Sir, – Further to my letter yesterday (September 6th), I’m concerned that the introduction and wide acceptance of the National Bicycle Shed unit of €336,000 for pricing infrastructure might lead to its abbreviation in everyday usage to BS units, which might undermine its credibility. – Yours, etc,

Dr ROBERT D NOLAN,

Alderley Edge,

Cheshire, UK.

Sir, – On yer bike, lads. – Yours, etc,

YVONNE McGANN,

Kilkee,

Co Clare.

Sir, – It is intriguing to note that the lifetime inheritance which a person can receive tax free under current legislation corresponds almost exactly to the price of a bike shelter for politicians. – Yours, etc,

ANNE M O’CONNOR,

Ashbourne,

Co Meath.