The Leinster House bike shed

Sir, – I’m a bit of a slow learner but the penny is finally beginning to drop.

€54 million for electronic voting machines? That’s dynamic polling.

€2.24 billion for a new children’s hospital? That’s dynamic tendering.

€500 for a concert ticket? That’s dynamic pricing.

Oscars 2026: Will Hamnet with Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley get a best picture nomination?

‘My son is getting married in the summer, and the likelihood is that I’m going to be able to see that’

Is it true that women need more sleep each night than men?

€336,000 for a bike shed? That’s dynamic sub-contracting. – Yours, etc,

NOEL SHANAGHY,

Faithlegg,

Co Waterford.

Sir, – Justine McCarthy’s litany of fiascos is a wake-up call to all politicians and senior civil servants (“If you laughed at the one about the Leinster House bike shelter, you’ll love the one about the loo rolls”, Opinion & Analysis, September 6th). Like most taxpayers, I pay my taxes on the understanding these funds are managed in a professional manner.

It now appears there is a complete lack of accountability. – Yours, etc,

MIKE CORMACK,

Blackrock,

Co Dublin.

Sir, – Perhaps in the interest of transparency, the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee might be disposed to hold their next meeting in the new shed. – Yours, etc,

CORMAC MEEHAN,

Bundoran,

Co Donegal.

Sir, – Further to my letter yesterday (September 6th), I’m concerned that the introduction and wide acceptance of the National Bicycle Shed unit of €336,000 for pricing infrastructure might lead to its abbreviation in everyday usage to BS units, which might undermine its credibility. – Yours, etc,

Dr ROBERT D NOLAN,

Alderley Edge,

Cheshire, UK.

Sir, – On yer bike, lads. – Yours, etc,

YVONNE McGANN,

Kilkee,

Co Clare.

Sir, – It is intriguing to note that the lifetime inheritance which a person can receive tax free under current legislation corresponds almost exactly to the price of a bike shelter for politicians. – Yours, etc,

ANNE M O’CONNOR,

Ashbourne,

Co Meath.