'Politicians squander taxes paid by Irish people': Public berated Harris over bike shed

Eva Osborne

Simon Harris received numerous critical emails from members of the public when news of the now infamous Leinster House bike shed broke.

The then taoiseach was told by one person that the scandal "feeds into the narrative that politicians squander the taxes paid by the Irish people and do not link this money back to the hard-earned wages of the public".

At the time, Harris said the spending of €336,000 on the construction of a bike shelter at Leinster House was “inexcusable and inexplicable".

In May of this year, it was revealed that an internal audit on the bike shelter project found no value for money assessment was ever conducted in advance of the works.

In emails seen by BreakingNews.ie, another member of the public told Harris the controversy was a "massive smack in the face" to parents of children with disabilities.

"Over 300k spent on a bike shed and now 190k being spent on a fitness intructor to keep TDs in shape," they wrote.

"This is a massive smack in the face to us parents of children with disabilities.

"The absolute disregard and lack of respect shown towards our kids is a disgrace. We have seen zero improvement in the so called "progressive disability services" since it was reconfigured.

"It's getting worse not better, and to be spending money on the likes of the above when there are families like ours on our knees. Trying to make ends meet while having to pay for private therapies is disgusting."

One member of the public attached a drawing of Michael Collins with the text: "To think that Michael Collins left his bike against the wall and that was good enough for him."

Another got in touch to say they "don't normally contact politicians as a rule" but felt "compelled to get in touch" following the discourse surrounding the bike shed.

"The tax I pay is entrusted to you and your colleagues to spend in such a manner as to improve the lives of the citizens of the country," they wrote.

"It is necessary evil that allows everyone to enjoy a certain standard of living. However, you, as the custodian of this money, are duty bound, to spend it wisely so that the maximum benefit is gleaned for the people of Ireland.

"Somebody in Leinster House decided a bike house was necessary and I have no issue with that. A sequence of events then occured, at the end of which the bill was in excess €300k.

It is incomprehensible that the cost should have been that high without corruption playing a part.

"It also feeds into the narrative that politicians squander the taxes paid by the Irish people and do not link this money back to the hard earned wages of the public.

"It also provides an insight as to why the Children's Hospital is rapidly becoming the most expensive building ever constructed on Earth."

One person said the spending on the bike shed was a "sad indictment of Government priorities, that 18 bicycles receive greater funding to improve their comfort and safety than 18 survivors of Mother and Baby Institutions".

Another said: "As a household we have always voted Fine Gael, in County Council, Bi, and General Elections but our loyalty is now at breaking point due to the flagrant and cavalier approach being taken with public funds, the the taxpayers money."