Free condoms should be distributed at taxi ranks over the Christmas period, according to the Irish Family Planning Association.
The call was made at the delivery of the organisation's Christmas Safe Sex message in Dublin yesterday, where mince pies and free condoms were served to journalists.
Recently appointed chief executive Ms Catherine Heaney called on the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, for a national campaign to reduce the instances of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies. "Sexual health promotion is virtually absent from national politics," she said. "Yet the levels of STIs continue to soar and crisis pregnancies are increasing, particularly among young women and teenagers."
The aim of the launch was to highlight the importance of responsible sexual behaviour over the festive season.
Ms Heaney said that in the run-up to Christmas the IFPA had already experienced an increased demand for crisis pregnancy counselling.
The numbers travelling to the UK for abortion services, she added, normally increased after Christmas. Demand for emergency contraception at IFPA clinics last weekend rose by 25 per cent on a normal weekend. The demand is expected to increase even further over coming days.
Ms Heaney said it was important to use good-quality condoms and always check the expiry date. "However, accidents can happen, especially when judgment is clouded because of alcohol use. In such an event it is important to access the morning-after pill if an unplanned pregnancy is to be avoided," she said.
The IFPA's clinics in Cathal Brugha Street and Tallaght in Dublin will be closed on Christmas Day, St Stephen's Day and New Year's Day.
Its national pregnancy helpline will operate from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. over the Christmas period, except on Sundays and bank holidays. Tel: 1850 49 50 51.