The Irish Farmer's Association has called on county councils nationwide to significantly increase investment in the rural road network.
The IFA says this is following a winter that has seen alarming road deterioration with crater-like potholes and road verge collapses commonplace.
The IFA Countryside Committee chairman David Wilkinson said the very welcome and necessary investment in new motorways and bypasses cannot be at the expense of the proper maintenance and upgrading of country roads.
He said many rural roads in their present state are extremely unsafe and a serious accident risk to those having to commute on a daily basis.
Mr Wilkinson said that rural homes and businesses must not be discriminated against.
He called on Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey to establish an all-party action committee of councillors in each county to prioritise the worst affected country roads and take remedial action to upgrade them immediately.
