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Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Bike shed expenditure

Summary

Deputy Whitmore raises public anger over the Leinster House bike shed cost and asks what meetings and reforms the Minister will pursue. After procedural clarification, the Minister says neither he nor the Minister of State made the decision and they will act once the OPW chairman’s report is received.

Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

Is é sin deireadh le ceisteanna maidir le polasaí.

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I should be on the list, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

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Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

I have checked the list and the Deputy's name is not there. Has she given notice?

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Yes. I was told I was filling in-----

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Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

That information has not reached me. The Deputy may go ahead.

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I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

People are absolutely furious, rightly so, about the debacle, and the waste of money, that is the Leinster House bike shed. The mission statement of the Department of public expenditure and reform is "to serve the public interest through sound governance of public expenditure". As senior Minister with responsibility for the OPW, Deputy Donohoe is uniquely positioned to answer questions regarding that expenditure. Has he met with officials within the OPW specifically in regard to the €350,000 that was wasted on the bike shed? What reforms will he put in place? Clearly, the public spending code is not robust enough to ensure that waste of money does not happen again.

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Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

To clarify regarding the administration of our business, the Deputy's name was not on my list. Somebody else's name is here.

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I was to be No. 7 on the list.

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Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

Okay.

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I have engaged with the Minister of State with responsibility for this area. Neither he nor I played any role in the decision on the bike shed. It was made at official level. I entirely understand and appreciate the anger in regard to it. No Ministers were involved in that particular decision. On our receipt of a report the chairman of the OPW is preparing on this issue, we will look at what steps can and should be taken in this regard.

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