Sir, – David McWilliams highlights a number of public projects in Ireland where large actual or projected cost overruns have arisen (“Is Ireland the worst run country in Europe?,” Opinion, April 11).
The numbers are indeed shocking, but Ireland is not an outlier in this field. Long delays and huge cost overruns in public-sector projects appear to be persistent problems throughout Europe.
Examples in our nearest neighbour include the Lower Thames Crossing, the HS2 railway and the Houses of Parliament restoration. Even Germany, a country that prides itself on its efficiency, has been experiencing huge time and budget overruns in many big projects including the new airport in Berlin, the train station at Stuttgart and the concert hall in Hamburg.
There are undoubtedly serious issues that arise with big public-sector projects, and these appear to start right at the initial design and planning phase.
RM Block
The real question is: given the decades of experience here and in numerous European countries across multiple projects, why can’t we learn from these and do better than them? – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL COUNAHAN,
Glenageary,
Co Dublin.
