Sir, – An Taoiseach recently noted that “we went mad” during the Celtic Tiger era.
Hence, it seems incredible that one of the maddest projects conceived in that era – the massive new €35 million central library for Dún Laoghaire seafront – is set to start construction in eight weeks, even though technology and factors have ensured it now makes no sense.
This project has no up-to-date appraisal of its cost-benefit, as is mandatory for all public projects over €30 million.
On Thursday all the 50 mature trees around Moran Park and in front of the Royal Marine, were felled to start the works.
The library project was conceived before Kindles and iPads and other aids which make this model library obsolete.
There is now a sea of unused commercial space suitable for an appropriately sized library within walking distance of Moran Park.
The design is totally unsuitable – but that’s another matter. The council has driven this project along under the radar but it needs a written instruction from the Minister for Finance to halt it immediately. – Yours, etc,