Watchdog defends failure to act on anti-abortion ads

The advertising watchdog has defended its failure to act on anti-abortion ads which have been branded as “offensive and inaccurate”.

The Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland (ASAI) has discussed the advertising campaign by Youth Defence with the office of Pat Rabbitte, the communications minister.

The ASAI said it is constitutionally prevented from taking any action against them which could constitute a breach of freedom of speech.