The notified number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the State in 2002 was the highest on record, according to the National Disease Surveillance Centre's (NDSC) 2003 annual report.
Unveiling the report today, the Minister of Health, Ms Harney, warned that alcohol is having a major impact on the health service and the rapid rise in sexually transmitted diseases.
The Minster said she had spoken to several GPs who had reported a serious increase in the number of young people requesting the morning-after pill.
Dr Darina O'Flanagan, director of the NDSC, said: "The increase, I think, has a lot to do with alcohol consumption . . . if young people consume too much they lose all inhibitions."
The total number of notified STIs increased by 7.9 per cent in 2002, compared to 2001, with over 70 per cent of the infections among the under-30 age group.
The most commonly notified STIs were genital warts, non-specific urethritis and chlamydia. "Chlamydia has been increasing year on year. It is an important cause of infertility in young women, it is a huge cause for concern," the NDSC director said.
The NDSC said there was still a strong number of syphilis cases following an outbreak between 2000 and 2002. Syphilis, like other genital ulcer diseases, increases the risk of transmitting and acquiring HIV.
During 2003 there were 399 newly diagnosed cases of HIV infections - running at a rate of over one per day, bringing the total of HIV infections reported in the Republic to 3,408. This was a 10 per cent increase in the number of cases diagnosed in 2002.
Of the 399 new cases, 221 were heterosexually acquired, 75 were among men who have sex with men and 47 were among injecting drug users. Of the newly diagnosed cases, 133 were among Irish-born people and 198 were from those born in sub-Saharan Africa.
The majority - almost 80 per cent - were between 20 and 40 years old with the average age being 30.8.
The centre said around 10 per cent of the people diagnosed with HIV were not reporting how they had contracted it. The NDSC called for statutory notification of the HIV virus or Aids, with patient confidentiality guaranteed.