Security hut at Government Buildings cost more than 1.4m euros, committee told

A “beautiful” security hut at an entrance to Government Buildings cost more than 1.4 million euros, it has emerged.

John Conlon, chairman of the Office of Public Works (OPW), told the Oireachtas Finance Committee that while the works involved “fairly significant costs”, the project included a significant mechanical and electrical system that is connected to the Government Buildings campus.

Mr Conlon made the comments while appearing before the committee to answer questions about the high costs of the bike shelter at Leinster House.

The OPW has come under security for spending 336,000 euros on the glass-covered shelter, located on the grounds of Leinster House.

Green Party TD Steven Matthews asked Mr Conlon about the cost of the security shelter at the Department of Finance, which the chairman confirmed was an OPW project.

The security hut is located at the south gate entrance to Government Buildings.

Mr Matthews said: “That is a very attractive security hut with a sweeping, copper clad roof on it. It looks very well.

“What was the cost on that project?”

Mr Conlon said: “The full cost of that project, deputy, will be 1.429 million euros.

“But I want to emphasise that that followed extensive review of security in this campus by the Garda Siochana Technical Advisory Group and whilst it looks like and is a fairly significant cost, there are very significant mechanical, electrical and security system costs in that.

“There was also a significant cost to provide a temporary structure where that building was taking place, there was significant underground works, there was significant ventilation, communications.

“There was significant rerouting of underground services so there is a huge security element to this project.”

Mr Conlon told the committee that the project would have been signed off by the general secretary of the OPW.

Mr Matthews said: “We have the bicycle shelter for 336,000 euro and a security hut for 1.4 million and I take your point, and I know the two are completely different projects, but does that seem like an excessive price, and I accept there’s a security element to it, and the controls that go on there. It’s a beautiful structure.

“Is it excessive for what the function of that performs?”

Mr Conlon said: “I don’t believe it is given the significant security dimensions to it, and the security elements of it, which were very costly.

“It’s not just that hub you see… That ties into a control system across the whole campus.

“So there’ll be a lot of routing and that type of work, which is quite hidden, you don’t see it, that pavilion itself, the significant underrun works that took place on that and I want to emphasise that there’s a huge amount of networking that arose in that project from in the Leinster House, Government Buildings campus, including power, communications, security and CCTV systems.

“So it’s not just what you see when you look down the south gate, there’s far more to that project than meets the eye. So it’s a completely different project.”

He told the committee that he will provide a breakdown of the costs.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said it is “important” that the OPW satisfies itself of getting value for money.

Speaking in New York, Mr Harris said: “I can’t know enough about the rationale as to why such a level of expenditure was required and indeed what security specifications may or may not have been required.

“I think it is very important that the OPW satisfies itself, and more importantly, satisfies the Oireachtas and the people of Ireland that appropriate safeguards are in place in ensuring they get value for money in relation to such expenditure.

“Of course, projects need to be carried out for security reasons from time to time, I think people get that.

“Security is extraordinarily important, but also making sure that that happens in the context of value for money is absolutely imperative.”

Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty criticised the cost, saying it is a “waste” of taxpayers’ money.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said he was “shocked” when he heard about the cost of the hut.

Speaking in New York, he said: “There is no need for that level of expenditure.

“I think we need a fundamental review now of what’s happening there.

“And full transparency in terms of the Oireachtas, in terms of the actual breakdown of the costs there, but that does seem shocking in terms of what is there that costs that amount of money.”