Labour Party transport spokes- man Tommy Broughan has described the absence of motorway service areas or rest stops for drivers as "a disgrace".
The National Roads Authority has agreed on the need for full service areas but has dropped the idea of rest stops.
Responding to the decision by the authority not to proceed with the development of 11 rest stops on the national road network Mr Broughan called on Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey to have the decision reversed.
Rest areas differ from full motorway service areas in that they usually comprise little more than a lay-by and a toilet. The authority, which initially said it would not develop either service areas or rest stops, reversed its position some years ago and announced it would develop 12 motorway service areas and 11 rest areas. However, it emerged this week that the authority had changed its position again, dropping the rest areas entirely. The authority cited anti-social behaviour at European rest areas as the reason for its decision.
Instead, it said full service areas will be developed at about 50km intervals on the inter-urban motorways. Three of these are the subject of tendering discussions with the private sector. Two of them are on the M/N4, while one is proposed for the M1.
"The continuing absence of service stop areas on the Irish motorway and national road network is disgraceful. Transport Minister Noel Dempsey must now accelerate the development of a comprehensive service and rest area network . . . to ensure that the highest safety standards and facilities are in place for all motorists and commercial drivers," Mr Broughan added.
