The Data Protection Commissioner has been in touch with communication regulator outside of Ireland relating to unsolicited anti-abortion calls that reached thousands of Irish homes.
Last week, the office received an unprecedented number of complaints regarding the cold calls, in which an automated voice states that Irish doctors are obliged to save women’s lives, even if it means the death of an unborn child.
Although another country has been located as a possible source, a spokeswoman for the office said it cannot reveal which country it is, as it is under investigation.
The commissioner has received more than 500 complaints, which is a record for the office, but as the calls become less frequent, fewer complaints are being made this week. Last week, the spokeswoman said the office would consider 30 complaints a very high amount.
Professor emeritus of obstetrics and gynaecology at NUI Galway Eamon O’Dwyer is quoted in the automated calls.
However, he has since dissociated himself from the calls. The professor said he was not aware his comment was going to be used in a telephone messaging campaign without his consent, he said.