Mr. Jimmy Goulding:

I thank the committee for giving me the opportunity to speak about HIV and AIDS issues. I have been living with HIV for the past 23 years and I am a founding member of Positive Now, a voluntary group of people living with HIV. We are representing the voices of people living with HIV at NGO and Government level. Ours is an all-island network and it is a unique and diverse group. We are also represented in the Gay Health Forum and the GHN and involved in the Man2Man campaign.

Positive Now began in June 2010 when there was no national group for people living with HIV in Ireland. The eight members of Positive Now have over 120 years of experience living with HIV. We have an office in the premises of Dublin AIDS Alliance on Parnell Square, with which we work on a voluntary basis.

We are also represented in the sexual health and HIV network. We believe the issue of HIV should be put back into the public arena in order that we can tackle the matter of HIV stigma head on. Positive Now frequently hears of incidents of HIV stigma and discrimination from people living with HIV. Many of these incidents involved health professionals and Government service providers who refused to treat or provide services for people living with HIV. These incidents can add to stigmatising people living with HIV and drive the issues arising further underground. Stigma also prevents people from being tested.

I am grateful for the opportunity to make a number of recommendations. Our first recommendation is that the Government put HIV back onto the agenda and work to highlight the issue of HIV stigma through a national campaign. The Government should also implement the Equality Tribunal's recommendation from 2009 on providing HIV training and education in order that misconceptions among front-line staff can be addressed effectively and immediately.

Our second recommendation is that the Government work in partnership with organisations promoting HIV testing in hospital and community settings. The World Health Organization estimates that in Europe one person in three is living with HIV without knowing it. Many people are not tested until they are sick and can no longer respond to treatment. The promotion of testing will also help to break down the stigma surrounding HIV.

Our third recommendation is that the Government demonstrate its commitment by highlighting HIV-AIDS Day on 15 June and World AIDS Day on 1 December. In many countries, including the United Kingdom, politicians and broadcasters wear a red ribbon to highlight HIV awareness. I am very passionate about raising awareness of HIV and thank the committee for allowing me to address the issue.