This is the first report to the Minister by the Advisory/Action Group and covers the period January- June 1999. Future reports covering six month intervals will chart the progress of the LRT network and raise, if necessary, warning flags on anything which could impede its timely implementation or pinpoint areas where the project could be speeded up.

The good news is that the planned new LRT system is substantially on schedule. The public hearings into the Tallaght-Abbey Street and Sandyford lines held under Judge Sean OLeary were completed in a thorough and efficient manner and his reports were furnished comfortably within the Governments indicative timetable .

The start of physical work on the Tallaght line in October 1999 will underline the transition from planning to implementation of the new LRT network. All going well , the new Tallaght line will be fully open three and a half years from now, by February, 2003.

The report of the public inquiry into the CIE application for a Light Railway Order for the St. Stephen's Green to Sandyford light rail line has been sent to the Minister and her decision is imminent. If the precedent on the Tallaght line is followed, this means that work could commence on this line earlier than the Autumn 2000 target set out in the indicative timetable.