AN intensive Garda investigation is taking place in a case involving pornographic material, the House was told.

The Minister for Justice, Ms Owen, in a written reply to Ms Liz O'Donnell (PD, Dublin South) said she did not want to comment on the details in case it would prejudice Garda

She understood that a file would shortly be going to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The Minister also said she had recently obtained advice from the Attorney General about Garda powers in dealing with pornographic material

If it became evident that the existing censorship legislation was inadequate to prevent the sale of offensive pornographic material she would not hesitate to propose amending legislation.

. Nine prisoners serving life sentences for murder were released under Probation Service supervision during 1995 after serving periods ranging from nine years three months to 13 years.

In a written reply to Mr Dan Wallace (FF, Cork North Central), Ms Owen said releases were approved on the recommendation of the Sentence Review Group.