Mr. Tiernan Brady:

That is a good point.

We know that education works and equips people to make the best decisions for their lives and sexual health. We also now know there is a barrier to delivering that education for multiple reasons, including some of the ones the committee has correctly pointed out. A proper strategic response is required that accepts that we have a problem and need to deliver education. We need to determine the layers and approaches that can be used to make sure we can deliver it everywhere. The approach in one school might be different from that in another. An NGO presence might visit some schools. Teachers who are trained might travel. There is a requirement to recognise that there needs to be a strategic response to the problem. That is the most important thing, in terms of strategy, to come from this side.

I wish to refer to some figures. Some 41% of people who are diagnosed with HIV are not Irish, but the majority of gay and bisexual men diagnosed are Irish.