A railway safety study of Iarnrod Eireann was carried out by IRMS and its partner consultants during 1998 with the objective of carrying out a strategic review of all aspects of safety of the railway system.  This document describes issues relating to the Permanent Way. The purpose of the audit was primarily to the check and monitor progress made, in particular the Permanent Way Department, against the recommendations detailed in the IRMS Report. The objective was to produce an informed opinion of the safety adequacy of the infrastructure and systems for the Permanent Way Department allowing direct comparison with the 1998 and 1999 studies.