The Progressive Democrat TD Ms Fiona O'Malley has called for condoms to be exempted from VAT in the wake of reports that the rate of sexually transmitted diseases has hit an all-time high in Ireland.
She said the figures showed that "we need to radically increase the use of condoms among young people". Teenagers were having sex and this was no longer a moral argument. She said condoms should be more widely available, especially in rural areas, and the price should be reduced. One means of doing this was to lower or completely remove the VAT from condoms.
"Condoms are currently classified as a 'luxury item' and incur VAT of 21 per cent," she said. "At an average of €20 for a pack of 12, young people will weigh up the options, ignore the dangers and spend their money on other items. They are unfortunately more likely to top up their mobile phone than buy a packet of condoms."
She applauded the action of the Irish Family Planning Association in distributing free condoms at the Witnness music festival last year.
"Where thousands of young people gather, the message of safe sex must be hammered home and condoms made more freely available."