There has been widespread criticism of the decision by the National Roads Authority (NRA) to object to any proposals to build service stations along motorway routes.
Contrary to standard European practice, the NRA has confirmed in its recently published 2004 Annual Report that it will "continue to be to raise objections to any proposals that are made for the provision of on-line service areas". The NRA has overall responsibility for the planning and construction of new motorways and dual carriageways.
Motorway service areas are prevalent on the continent. In Germany for instance, there are over 700 service stations, petrol stations, motels and kiosks providing 24-hour service for motorists on about 11,000 km of autobahn network - an average of one every 16 km.
Jimmy Quinn of the National Road Hauliers Association said: "Ireland is the only country in Europe with this policy.
"The NRA must realise that Ireland is a modern 24-hour economy and needs service stations on its major routes."
Jerry Purcell, commercial director of RAC Ireland said the NRA policy "just doesn't make any sense".
"I think it's highly impractical and potentially dangerous, as it's going to lead to more people taking a chance rather than diverting several miles off the motorway to get fuel and in the end running out of fuel on the motorways," says Purcell. "The NRA is also being slightly niave in thinking that motorway services is only about filling stations. It's also about taking a break while still on route. People will be more inclined to do this if the facilities are to hand."
Until now, the provision of service stations has not been a major issue because of the country's relatively short lengths of continuous motorway and dual-carriageway.
However, as the intensive road building programme, which is part of the National Development Plan, begins to bear fruit, the lengths that motorists can now travel without passing a service station have lengthened considerably.
Following a recent review of its policy, the NRA, which has overall responsibility for the planning and construction of new motorways and dual carriageways, has confirmed it will object to applications to build service stations along motorway routes.
The NRA said its strategy has been developed to take into account the size of Ireland, the relatively short distances of journeys and the lower traffic levels relative to European countries.
But with more routes planned, the distances between roadside service stations will continue to lengthen, forcing motorists off the main roads.
The National Safety Council has also expressed surprise at the decision. There is concern that the current situation means taking motorists off motorways, regarded as the safest network or roads, and onto smaller roads unknown to the motorist.
However, there was support for the NRA's policy from at least one quarter. Tom Noonan, chief executive of Maxol, says that Irish motorists are already well served with service stations.
"The existing network of filling stations is certainly large enough to cater to the demand," he said. "It would be ridiculous to create new filling stations when there are already enough there."
The NRA says the rationale behind its policy is that, because services already exist in villages and towns that are being by-passed, there is no need to build more stations at the roadside.
The NRA says it will develop a "signage policy" so that drivers will be able to find service areas and other facilities available in the towns and villages adjacent to the national road network.