Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I may not need five minutes as some of the questions I intended asking have already been answered.

On fatal foetal impairment and time or gestational limits, the committee heard evidence from obstetricians and gynaecologists that an anomaly scan will normally be carried out at between ten and 12 weeks into a pregnancy and one must wait until between 22 and 24 weeks of a pregnancy to obtain definitive diagnostic results. Ms Hoctor referred to a number of countries in Europe. Do these countries apply time limits in cases of fatal foetal impairment and, if so, how do these work in the context of diagnostic difficulties? I ask Ms Hoctor to elaborate on that issue.

When one goes beyond Europe, I assume in countries such as Gabon terminations are not carried out in cases of fatal foetal impairment because anomaly scanning services and knowledge of the impairment of the foetus are poor. I assume the absence of information on these matters, as opposed to cultural or other reasons, is the reason for not carrying out abortions. I ask Ms Hoctor to clarify that matter.

On the issue of culture, is there any evidence of partners or fathers forcing women to have a termination against their wishes? Has any research been done on that issue in the context of cultural differences across the globe to identify whether women are vulnerable to this potential threat of having a termination against their wishes?

I am interested in an issue on which the witnesses may have some observations to make. While terminations are carried out in Finland for various reasons, in one particular area the father may be given an opportunity to present his views prior to the decision to terminate the pregnancy being made, albeit only if there are special reasons that warrant doing so. I am not sure if the witnesses are aware of the specific circumstances but perhaps they could clarify or expand on what is meant by this aspect of Finnish law.