At the very end of November, the ESB finally returned to close over a draw pit and reinstate the road and footpaths.

Minister of State Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran engaged in fierce exchanges in defence of public spending on a range of projects

An architectural heritage impact assessment said the project was proving a “challenge” because of its sensitive historic location.

Paschal Donohoe said while he was not involved in the decision and did not approve the spending, he ‘accepts responsibility’ as a finance minister

The latest figures show the OPW paid out €809,000 for security systems at the private residences of eleven individuals in the first six months of this year

The OPW noted that a bridge was always intended as part of the original design by Sir Edwin Lutyens for the Irish National War Memorial Gardens to connect the memorial with the Phoenix Park.

Gardaí had identified security weaknesses around Government Buildings.

The Office for Public Works has also come under recent scrutiny for spending €336,000 on a glass-covered bike shelter

Office of Public Works officials appeared before the Oireachtas Finance Committee to answer questions about the high costs of the shelter.

John Conlon, of the Office of Public Works, told the Oireachtas Finance Committee the project included a significant mechanical and electrical system.

The total bill for the covered shelter was €336,000.

The massive cost of the 18-bike shelter was again raised in the Dáil on Thursday.

A breakdown of costs from the Office of Public Works shows that €322,282 was spent on the main construction and installation project.

Pairc Naisiunta na Mara, comprising 70,000 acres of land and seas, is now Ireland’s largest national park.

The Office of Public Works sent the Department of Foreign Affairs a bill for €11,081 for the arrival of the Chinese delegation into Dublin Airport.