Ahern briefs UN on role in fight against HIV/AIDS

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern will meet with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in New York this morning to brief him on the role Ireland is playing in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.

Mr Ahern is facing criticism for his decision to travel to New York when the Government is under fire over the striking down of the statutory rape law.

Mr Ahern, accompanied by the minister with responsibility for overseas aid, Conor Lenihan, arrived in New York early yesterday afternoon to participate in the UN high-level meeting HIV/AIDS. The meeting has been scheduled to review the progress of member states in meeting the commitments they made in 2001 at the UN’s first special session on HIV/AIDS.