Sir, – I was impressed by the ornate description of the “hidden” work carried out in relation to the security and communications needs at the “very attractive security hut” at Government Buildings from the OPW, until I saw Nick Bradshaw’s accompanying photograph (”Martin shocked by ‘ridiculous’ €1.4m cost of security hut”, News, September 26th). Pride of place in the new hut has been given to a good old-fashioned 1970s-style fan. Air conditioning would seem to have been an optional extra, even after spending €1.4 million. – Yours, etc,
JOHN NAUGHTON,
Leopardstown,
Dublin 18.
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Sir, – Is it safe to assume that the cost of the new children’s hospital already includes the provision of a security hut and a bike shed? – Yours, etc,
ULTAN Ó BROIN,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Remember social distancing? Imagine how big the Leinster House bike shed would have been back then. It would bankrupt us. – Yours, etc,
DAVID CURRAN,
Knocknacarra,
Galway.
Sir, – I am reminded of Myles Myles na gCopaleen’s catechism of clichés. What do we find overspends to be? Unacceptable. What usually follows? Learnings. In what direction will these go? Forward. – Yours, etc,
EILEEN MAHER,
Murrintown,
Co Wexford.
Sir, – Within a few weeks we move from a bicycle shed to a hut: from €336,000 to €1.4 million. Some shed to quite a hut.
Do we know whether there was a particular specification to which the OPW were working for the hut or was it just like the national children’s hospital, a question of just getting on with the build, although we knew not the design nor the cost ?
What’s next? A range of e-bikes for TDs and those in the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee to get from the shed to the hut? – Yours, etc,
ALASTAIR CONAN,
Coulsdon,
London.
Sir, – €3,000 spent on archaeological advice for a bicycle shelter seems wasteful but perhaps we have learned from the past.
What use is Newgrange now when you can only locate your parked bike on one day of the year? – Yours, etc,
EUGENE TANNAM,
Firhouse,
Dublin 24.
Sir, – My interest in politics had always been minimal until I started to read Miriam Lord’s Sketch.
I have learned about huts, sheds, bikes, upcoming elections and group outings to New York (September 26th).
It’s all there in a nutshell. If you didn’t laugh, you could cry. Thank you, Miriam. You made me laugh. – Yours, etc,
MARY HAREN,
Elmbank,
Cavan.
Sir, – With the amount of copper cladding adorning the security hut, it may prove a worthy investment and perhaps an unintended security risk. – Yours, etc,
AIDAN RODDY,
Cabinteely,
Dublin 18.
Sir, – At least the bike shelter and security hut are rather elegant; unlike the shabby, tarmacadamed, rain-sodden car park which is the public face of our national parliament. – Yours, etc,
FERGAL MacCABE,
Sandycove,
Co Dublin.