A visit by a Dutch "abortion ship" to Ireland is being closely monitored, the Taoiseach said. The Minister for Health had consulted the Attorney General on the issues which might arise from the vessel visiting the State. "That issue is being closely followed," Mr Ahern said.
The matter was raised by Mr Gay Mitchell, Fine Gael's Health spokesman, who described the visit by the "Women on Waves" Dutch medical team as an "outrageous stunt". He said: "Following the great assistance we got from Europe on the Nice Treaty, I now note that the Dutch want to help us with our sensitive abortion question." He called for the Taoiseach to introduce legislation to set up a funded agency to support women with crisis pregnancies, "as recommended by the constitutional review group". The Taoiseach said the Minister would introduce the agency and no primary legislation was necessary.