Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

World AIDS Day presents an opportunity for the global community to evaluate its fight to eradicate HIV and AIDS. In 2016, HIV transmission rates in the State exceeded 500 for the first time since records began, bucking a trend of reduction among our European counterparts. According to statistics from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, HPSC, we are on course to having an even higher rate of infection in 2017. We not only live in a society that has failed to eradicate HIV but our response is allowing the infection to remain largely uncontained. It is no secret that those who are particularly vulnerable to HIV in Irish society are some of those who have been traditionally marginalised, such as men who have sex with men, migrants and sex workers. If this was an issue that affected the more privileged in our society or the elites rather than the marginalised and vulnerable, I suggest our historical response would have been much different.

The sexual health strategy 2015-2020 was launched by then Minister for Health and now Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar. The strategy recommended the HSE provides accessible STI and HIV testing for all sexually-active adults. However, the only targeted and tangible responses in providing accessible testing are Dublin-centric and run on shoestring budgets like the Gay Men's Health Service, GMHS, which was recently found to be based in a condemned building on Baggot Street. The Minister's recent visit there would have confirmed that.

Another commitment in the sexual health strategy was to provide antiretroviral therapy in HIV prevention. Pre-exposure prophylaxis, PrEP, is a step forward in the fight against HIV. PrEP can provide near-100% protection from HIV. The High Court has ruled that generic versions of PrEP are now free to the market here, meaning that truly effective prophylaxis for many of those vulnerable to HIV infection is now within our grasp. It is within the grasp of the State and Government.

As part of the fight against HIV and AIDS, we need accessible testing in order that those who are carrying transmittable HIV unknowingly can be found and treated and those who wish to access effective prophylaxis can do so. When the Taoiseach addressed Dublin Pride this summer, he told the 30,000-strong crowd that "the time absolutely is now to act up to the sexual health challenges that we face". I welcome members of ACT UP Dublin to the Public Gallery. ACT UP Dublin is a diverse, non-partisan group of individuals who are united in anger and committed to direct action to end the HIV crisis. Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh gach duine go dtí an díospóireacht seo.

At Dublin Pride, the Taoiseach went on to commit to seeing the strategy come to fruition. Will the Taoiseach live up to his commitment and will the Minister, Deputy Harris, make available the necessary investment? Will the Minister comment on the Government's plans to deliver accessible and targeted STI and HIV testing to those who are vulnerable? Will he respond to the vision set out in the sexual health strategy and properly and adequately fund our sexual health responses? As generic manufacturers of PrEP now start to apply to the HSE for reimbursement, can the Minister give a commitment that the Government will provide generic PrEP in the near future along with sufficient clinical support?

Our bleak and somewhat embarrassing response to HIV rates has gone on for far too long. The Minister mentioned that HIV Ireland held a conference in Smock Alley to mark 30 years since its foundation. Well-known LGBT activist, Tonie Walsh, who joins us in the Gallery today, gave an insightful presentation on how similar memorials in Toronto and New York gave their respective LGBTQI communities a place to memorialise loss and grief, which allows them to better value and share the coping mechanisms and survival strategies of a previous generation. A physical site of remembrance will serve as a place to grieve and remember loss and give hope for the future in a time of significant advancements in treatment and methods of prevention. For the State to create and locate a memorial through appropriate consultation will be significant. It would signify a commitment to HIV prevention and will act as a tool of acceptance by the State of those living with HIV when previously it served on the side of stigma. I say all that with an expectation of this dream being realised. My experience and friendship with those involved in realising this dream has led me to believe they have been on the right side of history. People like Senator Norris, who this month has served 30 years and eight months in the Seanad, has been a constant inspiration. He has served on the right side of history and, along with many others, has waited around for everyone else to catch up. Will the Minister of State consider supporting the proposal of a HIV-AIDS memorial? Will she discuss it with us today and commit to having this conversation with the Department?