A Green Party Senator says Ireland needs to move out from the dark ages and give young people greater access to safe sex with free contraception.
The Seanad is currently debating the issue, after a motion was put down for the government to provide universal free contraception within its lifetime.
It has committed to doing this for all girls and women aged 17 to 25, but Senator Pauline O'Reilly want this done as a matter of priority.
Her Green Party colleague Senator Roisin Garvey says sexual protection can be particularly expensive in pubs and nightclubs:
"It could be a tenner for a three pack or something."
"That's just ridiculous, that's so 1970s or 80s and that's still where it's still at like."
"We have to trust them, it's just not good enough anymore."
"Our young people have much more cop on than we had."
"We have to give them these choices, and we have to show them we have moved with the times."
"So we can't get stuck in the dark ages, saying 'say three hail marys and wait 'till you're married.'"
"That's just a joke and an insult to every young person, they'd think we're mad!"
I'm supporting the #MakeItFree campaign today. GP Senators will bring a motion to the Seanad calling for the Programme for Government commitment to roll out free access to contraception for 17-25 year olds. The first step towards universal access to contraception for all. pic.twitter.com/6eBku3gUSB
— Neasa Hourigan TD (@neasa_neasa) December 15, 2020
More about this can be found on the Green Party Facebook page.
