The Government was today urged to follow the lead of the British authorities and cut VAT on condoms.
The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) said the expected move by the UK means condoms sold in Northern Ireland will soon become significantly cheaper than those on sale south of the border.
The high cost of condoms in the Republic puts them beyond the reach of many students and young people - the category most as risk from Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), it said.
USI president Tony McDonnell said the Government applies the full rate of 21 per cent Vat to any purchase it considers a 'luxury', the category in which it classifies condoms.
"The UK government used to share this preposterous view, but is now preparing to reclassify condoms as 'essential' items and apply the lowest rate of Vat to them," he said.
"If the Irish Government applied the same logic as the UK, the Vat on condoms sold in the South would fall from 21 per cent to 5 per cent, bringing the price of condoms down dramatically and making them more accessible to those who need them most."
Mr McDonnell said the USI has been pressing the logic of reducing tax on condoms for years and welcomed that they should soon be substantially more affordable for students in the North.
PA