Irish government security pavilion cost €1.4m

A report was also published on Wednesday morning on a controversial €336,000 (£283,149) covered bike shelter built in the grounds of the Irish parliament last year.

The report was written by Mr Conlon, who said that while the project’s costs “can be explained”, the overall cost “is completely not acceptable in the wider context of value for money and value for the taxpayer”.

“It is an extraordinary cost for the provision of a covered bicycle parking facility and one which the OPW has to seriously reflect on,” he added.

According to the report, the OPW told authorities in Leinster House three years ago that installing uncovered bicycle parking outside the Member’s Restaurant would have been a cost-effective option.

This was not deemed acceptable following security advice, although the OPW felt that any operational changes needed in relation to security “were not insurmountable”.

Mr Conlon said he has revised project approval thresholds downwards and will ensure members of the OPW Management Board will approve all works above €200,000 (£167,000).

He has also engaged an external auditor to advise how to ensure value for money for projects below €500,000 (£418,000).