Families of the Stardust victims insisted today they are being kept in the dark by the Government about delays to an independent inquiry.
They have written a letter to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern demanding a start date be announced for the investigation into the 1981 nightclub fire.
Stardust Survivors Committee
Antoinette Keegan, who lost two sisters in the St Valentine's Night fire, said she has been given assurances by the Taoiseach's office that everything is ready to proceed.
The Stardust Survivors Committee spokeswoman insisted that testimony from witnesses and experts was supposed to start last month.
In a letter to the Taoiseach, she said the families are hurt, disappointed and let down that promises have not been fulfilled. "We are very confused, in the sense that everything is ready to move, and would like to know why there is a delay on a start date," the letter states.
But the Government is adamant that inquiry chairman John Gallagher SC, appointed to head the investigation in April, is still involved in preparations.
Ms Keegan said the families have had no contact from the Government about the apparent delay.
In the letter to the Taoiseach, she writes: "The concern of the families is of the utmost and you indicated you would be willing to have this external, independent examination put in place for the families.
"We would request once again a meeting with you to have this matter finalised and a start date announced to commence this examination in the very near future."
The Government insisted there are matters that must be finalised before the first hearings but declined to give a start date.