Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Jul 1992

Vol. 421 No. 9

Written Answers. - National AIDS Strategy Committee.

Ivor Callely

Question:

99 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the sub-committee on education and prevention of the National AIDS Strategy recommended that the family planning legislation should be amended to allow for sale of condoms from vending machines and also to allow for distribution of free condoms by statutory and voluntary agencies involved in HIV prevention; and if, in view of the fact that this is only one of many recommendations contained in the report and recommendations adopted by the National AIDS Strategy Committee, he will give due consideration to this report and its recommendations.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

In my capacity as Chairman of the National Aids Strategy Committee I have been conducting a major review of AIDS/HIV services nationally. Primary care and management of persons infected with the virus and education and prevention strategies, have been identified by the committee in reports which I have had published recently. These reports are now being implemented and investment in this process is ongoing as the Government have made available substantial additional resources for AIDS-HIV services this year.

In relation to an amendment of family planning legislation, I have completed a review of the legislation with specific regard to the role of condoms in reducing the spread of the HIV virus and other sexually transmissible diseases and a revised Health (Family Planning) (Amendment) Bill was circulated to Deputies today.