Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 667: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to encourage the development of rest and service areas along our motorway network; if future planning will allow for such necessities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5223/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual national roads are matters for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. The allocation of funding in relation to the construction or maintenance of national road projects, including service area projects, is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act. In addition, I would specifically refer the Deputy to section 54 of the Roads Act 1993, as amended by section 10 of the Roads Act 2007, which provides the NRA with specific responsibilities in relation to agreements to build and operate motorway service areas. Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.