'I was shocked when I saw the price': Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan reacts to €335,000 bike shed at Leinster House

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has said that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has some questions to answer following the revelation that the construction of a bike shed at Leinster House last year cost an estimated €335,000.

Since the news has emerged, many in Leinster House has questioned how the cost of the installation was so high. In a breakdown of costs from the OPW, it shows that €322,282 was spent on the main construction project, while €2,952 was spent on archaeological services and €10,816 was paid for quantity surveying services and "contract administration services" to build the shed which stores 18 bikes.

Ryan has said: "I look forward to listening to the OPW and talking to the OPW as to why it was so expensive." He added: "I must admit I was shocked when I saw the price."

The Minister for Transport had previously praised the project as an example of the efforts made by the public sector to tackle climate change. Today, he said that more projects like this are needed for climate action, however he admitted that "we must do things cheaper than that all over the country."

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He added: "We spend public money wisely and that sort of cost seems to be very, very high."

The Taoiseach Simon Harris has said that he had no knowledge or information regarding the construction of the bike shed. Harris said it is "very important that public money is always carefully spent," and for now it is a "matter for the Oireachtas."

The OPW has argued that given the location of the bike shed at Leinster House, a high-quality structure was necessary.

In a statement released today, the OPW has 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 high-quality materials and finish were required."

The OPW has refused to provide a copy of the documents involved in the work, as they said such documents could not be released due to "security reasons" as they had been prepared as part of a planning application.