asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that a group of persons are reported in a newspaper (details supplied) as stating that they are not just a contraceptive outlet but that they also provide an abortion referral service; and the action he proposes to take in the matter.

I should first of all make it clear that I have no function in relation to the institution of criminal proceedings. However, I am informed that certain aspects of this matter have been gone into by the Garda Síochána and, as a result, it has now become clear that further investigation is necessary. I am sorry that I cannot usefully comment further at this stage or be more informative about the details except to say that the necessary further investigation has already begun.