The chief executive of the National Roads Authority (NRA) yesterday said that so far it had had a "passive" approach to its policy on the construction of service stations on motorways.
Addressing the joint Oireachtas committee on transport, Fred Barry said the level of take-up by private operators had not been as expected, and confirmed that the NRA's policy on the issue was being reviewed at the request of Minister for Transport Martin Cullen.
Mr Barry also indicated the review could lead to a change in the NRA's controversial policy on the issue which favours service stations being developed on slip-roads rather than on motorways themselves.
Any decision was up to the NRA's board, Mr Barry stressed. But he added that if service areas were to be built, it might be necessary for the NRA to buy the required lands. These might in turn need to be rented out to providers at a nominal rate, to make them commercially viable.
He stressed that the NRA favoured having service areas at or close to interchanges on the inter-urban motorway/dual carriageway network.
"In the UK there is currently a 50:50 split between new motorway service areas that are located on the side of motorways and those that are located at junctions/interchanges," he said.
Facing strong criticism from several committee members, Mr Barry said the NRA had previously stated that if its approach was not working, it would seek to change it.