How many Irishmen does it take to build a bike shed?

[Adsibob]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c39k2glg2j3o.amp
 

 

[SteamyTea]

There was a radio comedy play about the financial crisis. It was based in Ireland, so it seems real life is imitating art.

[kevinm]

I interviewed for a position as a Site Engineer with the OPW 13/14 years ago. I have never come across such a group of ignorant and arrogant civil servants. Totally aloof, and out of touch, most joined straight out of Uni, and had zero private sector experience.

Edited September 4, 2024 by kevinm

[ProDave]

That works out at pretty much £10K per bicycle space created.  I sometimes wish I was fortunate enough to get such a contract at such a silly inflated price.

[Adsibob]

It is totally bonkers. I have a ready made Asguard “sold secure” (whatever that means) steel bike shed which came flat packed and was assembled by my contractor in less than an hour. I think I paid £700 and it fits two full size bikes as well as my kids’ bikes. 

[joe90]

Let’s hope the review finds someone accountable and suitably penalised.

[Conor]

I work as a consultant engineer alongside Irish public bodies. Last year money was being spent like it was going out of fashion. We literally had more money than we could spend, and were under pressure to spend it. This is the kind of thing that ends up happening. One off contract, probably not on a framework, contractors too busy to want the job, put in an F-off price, get the work anyway. Nobody cares how much it costs as long as the target is being met.  Culture has changed a fair bit in the last 18months as the infinite € purse now has a tangible bottom. Still, rather be working here than with a UK infrastructure company! Minus craic.