The Government has announced funding of €18 million for Aids research over the next three years in a bid to increase prevention and cut transmission rates.
The announcement was made by Conor Lenihan, minister of state for development and human rights at an event marking World Aids Day in Dublin today.
Political figures and representatives from Aids support groups met in the Mansion House under the theme 'Stop Aids - Keep the Promise.'
The Lord Mayor of Dublin Catherine Byrne, the minister, Dóchas, and the Dublin Aids Alliance met to urge the public and the international community to join a global effort to stop Aids.
Minister Lenihan said Aids was robbing Africa of its human capital. "We have an obligation - moral, practical, tangible and self-interested almost - to stop the spread of Aids," he said.
"If we do not deal with Aids in Africa it will make a mockery of efforts to bring sub-Saharan countries out of poverty."
Mr Lenihan pledged the Government's commitment to tackling Aids would not stop at the doubling of the Aids budget from €50 million in 2005 to €100 million next year.
To mark World Aids Day he announced funding of €18 million for the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative and the International Microbicides Partnership over the next three years.
The minister said 20% of funds for fighting Aids would be dedicated to helping orphans, and said it was unacceptable not to address gender empowerment as 70% of new infections were women.
In 2004, 356 new cases of HIV were diagnosed in Ireland, while in the first two quarters of 2005, 148 new cases were reported.
Additional reporting: PA
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