The ombudsman for Children has confirmed another investigation will take place in which two children were taken into State care from Roma families.

This will be the third inquiry as investigations have also been launched by the Gardai and the Health Service Executive.

The Minister for Justice contacted the Ombudsman for Children today to raise the possibility of an expanded role in investigating the matter and the Ombudsman is awaiting clarification on the Minister’s proposal.

In the interim the Ombudsman has commenced internal preparations for an investigation under the Ombudsman for Children Act and she  will determine the most appropriate course of action in the coming days.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Justice has said Gardaí cannot stop investigating cases where children might be at risk.

Alan Shatter says he's confident that Gardaí acted in good faith by removing two Roma children from their homes earlier this week.

This evening the minister insisted that racial profiling was unacceptable and that ethnic monitories could not be given extra scrutiny in childcare investigations.

But, he says Gardaí are likely to be criticised no matter what they do: