The Government is set to back a Labour Party proposal banning rogue crisis pregnancy agencies.

The bill would, for the first time, require that those who provide counselling to women experiencing crisis pregnancies be registered and regulated.

The party put forward the legislation following an undercover investigation that discovered a clinic in Dublin claiming abortion can cause breast cancer - and even turn women into child abusers.

Speaking at the launch of Focus Ireland’s week-long series of events in support of Universal Children’s Day, Children's Minister, Katherine Zappone said the Government will not oppose the legislation when it comes before the Dáil on Thursday:

Labour Party leader, Brendan Howlin said he had written to the leaders of all political parties and groupings in Leinster House to ask for their support for the bill.

He said the proposed legislation is, “crucial to ensuring that women, at a time of exceptional vulnerability, are given the accurate and impartial information they not only deserve, but are entitled to.”

“We have heard frightening tales of how women in crisis pregnancy situations have been told that abortion increases their risk of breast cancer, or that those who have had abortions may later go on to be abusers,” he said.

“For too long these agencies have been allowed to lie to women in the most grotesque fashion, and it’s time we worked together on all sides of the House to put an end to this abuse.”

Minister for Health, Simon Harris has already informed Deputy Howlin of his intention to support the bill - although the government may yet come forward with some of its own proposals to tackle the issue.