Support for voluntary AIDS groups
Higgins challenges the refusal of assistance to groups advising condom use, particularly Gay Health Action. O’Hanlon says he knows of no legal opinion and says the group is mentioned in the Department’s booklet; procedural interruptions precede Higgins’s next question.
In relation to the fourth item the Minister mentioned in his reply — the public information programmes — can I ask him if it is a fact that his Department took a legal opinion or if his Department refused assistance to those working in the voluntary sector offering information on AIDS because they suggested the use of condoms? Further, will he specifically answer the question as to why groups working with the gay community were refused assistance —I am referring to the Gay Health Action Group?
Comment on this
I am unaware of any such legal opinion being sought. On numerous occasions I have publicly stated that the way to avoid AIDS is to have one partner and to be faithful to that partner. I have made it very clear that while condoms reduce the risk of AIDS they do not eliminate it.
As regards the Gay Health Action Group, I am sure that in the booklet we produced reference was made to the Gay Health Action Group as one of those groups that persons who felt they might need assistance in combating or avoiding AIDS could approach for information.
