The expert report into whether Dublin's Luas light rail system should go underground is expected to recommend a project combining both an on-street and underground system.
Though the draft of the report by W.S. Atkins does not come to the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, until tomorrow, it is understood that a range of options will emerge from it.
However, the report is now expected to suggest that the light rail system should run underground in the city centre. A total underground system would be too costly, while a full overground project would not be viable because of street space problems.
In a highly unusual development, consultants from the British company appointed to bring forward the recommendations are to attend next Tuesday's Cabinet meeting to brief Ministers on the details of their findings.
The report has been under way since last autumn. Ms O'Rourke will get it tomorrow and she will consider its contents over the weekend.
The Government will not make a decision on how to proceed until after hearing the consultants' presentation and considering the Minister's own recommendations.
The EU Commissioner for Regional Policy, Ms Monika Wulf-Mathies, said earlier this week that if the underground option were to go ahead, the EU funding earmarked for the project would be "decommitted" and Luas would not proceed under the present round of EU funding.
Government sources last night discounted reports that the £220 million Luas plan to ease the capital's traffic congestion was about to be abandoned by the coalition. Sources said the Government was committed to proceeding with the project.
Opposition parties have urged the Government to come to a final decision on Luas, warning that EU funding would be jeopardised if there was further delay.
The chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Mr Jim Mitchell, said this is the "most incompetently handled major project I have ever seen".
Meanwhile, the public inquiry into Luas is due to reopen next month and will be presided over by Judge Sean O'Leary.