The global push to develop an Aids vaccine was boosted today by the first alliance between a major drug-maker and the non-profit sector to tackle the disease.

EU competitiveness ministers got a dressing down from European and US business leaders at a unique roundtable event in Dromoland yesterday.

Tánaiste and Minster for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Mary Harney, is in Washington today for a series of top level meetings with senior members of the US administration.