Leinster House bike shed’s €335k cost ‘playing into worst’ Irish stereotypes скачать в хорошем качестве

Leinster House bike shed’s €335k cost ‘playing into worst’ Irish stereotypes

The €335k bike shed at Leinster House is “playing into the worst” of Irish stereotypes, according to a Green Party TD. Public Accounts Committee (PAC) member Mark Ó Cathasaigh says he’s “raging” over the expense and has requested a detailed breakdown of how the money was spent. The shed, which holds 36 bikes, had €3,000 of its cost allocated to archaeological services, €11,000 to administrative fees, and €38,000 to VAT. Speaking ahead of a Cabinet meeting this morning, Taoiseach Simon Harris described the cost as “extraordinary.” “I think it is inexcusable and inexplicable, and I welcome the fact that my colleague, the minister, has demanded answers in relation to this, and I await that,” he said. On Lunchtime Live today, Deputy Ó Cathasaigh said people are rightly angry. “I’m raging about it; I think it plays into the worst type of stereotypes we have about Irish politics and Irish politicians, that we spend lavish money on things for our politicians,” he said. “Meanwhile, we can’t get basic services in parts of the economy that we need.” The Wicklow TD noted that a four-bed semi-detached home in Collins Avenue, a "really nice part of Waterford," would also cost €335k. “There is nobody who can convince me that the bike shelter we see on the grounds of Leinster House is worth that kind of money,” said Deputy Ó Cathasaigh. “I think there are serious questions to be asked about value for money for the taxpayer, and I absolutely empathise with that frustration.” George from Cork shared his frustrations with the show regarding the expense. “We have record numbers of homeless,” he said. “On top of that, a cover for a bicycle is nice, but I live in Skibbereen and there is no shelter over the bus stops here. “You have the elderly, sick, and all the other people waiting for buses out in the pouring wind and rain, while when you get into Leinster House, you have a little place to park your bike in a rain-protected area. “I understand [the need], but €335? – it’s lunacy.” ________________________________________________________________________________________________ 📱 Have you downloaded the Newstalk app? Find the app in the Google Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/de... Find the app via Apple: https://apps.apple.com/ie/app/newstal... #️⃣ SUBSCRIBE to the Newstalk social channels: YOUTUBE |    / @newstalkfm   TWITTER | twitter.com/newstalkfm INSTAGRAM | instagram.com/newstalkfm/ FACEBOOK | facebook.com/newstalkfm WEBSITE | https://www.newstalk.com/ 🎧 PODCAST - listen at your leisure: newstalk.com/podcasts iTunes: search for Newstalk in your app! Spotify: search for Newstalk for our latest pods and news Or wherever you get your podcasts! 📱GET IN TOUCH WITH NEWSTALK WhatsApp: get in touch on 0871400106