Summer 1995: Dublin Transport Initiative proposes three-branch light rail system for the city.
December 1995: Details of £220 million light rail system, to be called Luas - the Irish word for "speed" - and to run from Tallaght to Dundrum via the city centre, announced by the then Minister for Transport, Mr Lowry. Project to be part EU-funded and construction to start in 1997. Link to Ballymun, third branch of DTI proposal, deferred until after 2000 as it would not be built in time to qualify for EU funds.
April 1996:
EU Commission says £114 million funding conditional on consultancy study yet to be carried out, amid controversy over deferral of Ballymun line. Mr Lowry says study will not delay project.
July 1996: CIE-commissioned consultancy report, by French firm Semaly, completed. Rejects underground option.
October 1996: EU confirms funding provided there is a firm commitment to build Ballymun line at a later stage.
May 1997: New Minister for Transport, Mr Dukes, sets up public inquiry into project, as required by law.
July 1997: FF/PD Government decides at its first meeting to commission study into feasibility of putting part of the project underground.
September 1997: Inquiry postponed pending outcome of Government-ordered study.
October 1997: Consultants W.S. Atkins appointed to carry out study.
April 1998: Atkins report recommends that CIE be allowed to go ahead with on-street system.
May 1998: Government opts to put line underground in city centre.