I think there is a need within the wider system for those who are responsible for capital projects to be cognisant of both value engineering and value for money. They should be ensuring that whenever projects are advanced, that they're at the lowest cost for the taxpayer.
People are rightly annoyed at this and there needs to be full accountability. Whoever signed off on it should explain why it costs what it has. Nobody imagined that what was a modest proposal would turn into something mind-boggling.
The question of improved bike facilities has been raised at the level of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission over recent years. The commission is a ways and means committee, chaired by the Ceann Comhairle, on which members of all parties sit, aided by officials.
With the benefit of hindsight, this is something that should have been looked at by all involved. None of the minutes show any mention of likely cost. This indicates a lack of oversight and proper planning.
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