Taoiseach seeking to boost European AIDS donations

The Taoiseach is promising to use Ireland's EU presidency to campaign for Europe to match donations made by the US for fighting the spread of AIDS in the world's poorest countries.

He has also pledged Ireland will continue to increase its contribution to developing countries, despite the economic downturn.

Meanwhile, U2 lead singer Bono has said he will lead a campaign of civil disobedience unless world leaders prove their commitment to tackling world poverty.

They were speaking at the launch of the United Nations Human Development Report, taking place in Dublin which warned that world leaders are running out of time in the battle against poverty.

President Chissano of Mozambique thanked Ireland by satellite from Maputo for its development aid.