Press Releases
O'Malley backs calls for contraceptive services to be free of charge
Progressive Democrats TD Fiona O'Malley has backed the call by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency to make contraceptive services free of charge and to step up promoting the use of contraceptives among young people.
In a survey to be published today, the Crisis Pregnancy Agency found that one-in-three pregnancies in Ireland are 'crisis' or emergency' in nature, and cost is a big factor for young people when it comes to using contraceptives.
'While the cost of condoms or other contraceptives is not the only factor at play here, it certainly is an issue, especially for younger people. If making contraceptive services free of charge cuts the number of crisis pregnancies in this country, then the move should be seriously considered.'
'Making emergency contraception available across the counter – as is the case in other European countries – is also essential.
'More effective sex education programmes must also be introduced and at an earlier age. Any attempts to 'moralise' the issue should be resisted,' says O'Malley.
'We have adopted a cowardly attitude to sexual health and reproduction in this country for too long. What we need now is open and frank debate. The Crisis Pregnancy Agency deserves great credit for the work it is doing. The Agency was established by the Government and the Government must now listen to and, more importantly, act on the Agency's findings.'
'There is little point in the Government establishing an agency if it is not prepared to act on its findings.'
Deputy O'Malley is a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Health & Children and a member of the Dáil All-Party Group concerned with issues of sexual and reproductive health.