Choice Ireland welcomes cut in VAT on condoms
national |
gender and sexuality |
press release 
Friday February 01, 2008 10:50
by Niav - Choice Ireland
Choice Ireland has welcomed the Government's decision to reduce VAT on condoms. The measure is included in the Finance Bill 2008, published today.
Choice Ireland has welcomed the Government's decision to reduce VAT on condoms. The measure is included in the Finance Bill 2008, published today.
Spokesperson Sinead Ahern said, "Choice Ireland welcomes any move to make contraception more easily accessible. Studies have cited availability and cost as factors limiting condom use among young people.
"The cost of condoms in Ireland is among the highest in the EU. A reduction in the cost of contraception is vital to encourage safe sex practice and thus reduce the rate of sexually transmitted infections, crisis pregnancy and abortion in Ireland."
Spokesperson Niav Keating added, "Unfortunately, under European law, the Government is able only to reduce and not eliminate VAT on contraceptives. We are therefore calling on the Irish and other European governments to go further and amend Community law to add reproductive goods and services to the 'VAT exempt' category.
"We reiterate our call for free access to all forms of contraception, including emergency contraception." ENDS
For further information and comment:
Niav Keating 086 329 3741
Sinead Ahern 086 398 3189
Choice Ireland is a diverse group of Pro-Choice activists campaigning for free, safe and legal abortion services in Ireland.
Comments (4 of 4)
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Lots more there too, for the next four years. Condoms and Catholics made the news headlines.
Condoms ought to be freely issued by family planning clinics surely.
I think it is wishful thinking to demand free access to condoms, lubricants, spermicides and other acccompaniments to safe easy sex. Since the liberating 1960s sex has become a recreational commodity and in the world of market driven commerce this commodity along with all other commodities has been advertised with a view to exploiting its profitability. It has become one more superhyped item for sale, an erotic part of the consumerist culture of western and other societies. I don't refer to prostitution but the sale of contraceptives, sex aids, sexy clothing, women's and men's body sprays and other aroma enhancing toiletries, and romantic tourism including youth rave holidays on the costa del wherever. Big business has made big global business of all these accrutements - and it isn't going to let go of a going concern. There is no such thing as free sex.
We have to cope with not living in an ideal world; people are now openly sexually active, for good or ill, & it's better they use condoms than spread diseases & incur unwanted pregnancies. The times before sexual permissiveness weren't a golden age either.
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