The Cabinet is expected to decide tomorrow to route part of Dublin's Luas light-rail system underground.
Following the Government's deferral of a decision last week, the Cabinet sub-committee considered the Atkins consultancy study on Thursday and the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, had detailed discussions with the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke.
It is understood the Cabinet is now likely to opt for a partial underground system, a development which would make the project considerably more expensive.
The issue was further discussed in a ministerial meeting involving the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, on Friday and the finishing touches to recommendations are expected to be made today. W.S. Atkins, the British firm of engineering consultants employed to conduct the study, last week recommended CIE's on-street proposal and estimated the currently proposed scheme to cost £268 million. A system involving an underground in the city centre would cost £500 million, the consultants said.
Senior sources last night expected a conclusion by tomorrow afternoon and it seemed most likely that "part of Luas will go underground". It is believed that the week-long postponement of a decision allowed the Progressive Democrats to arguein favour of some underground rail-line. The party's policy on light rail was published in March and favoured an overground light rail system with a small underground element in the city centre in order minimise disruption in that area.