Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Not to look at it. I will not go into any personal details but that implies compulsion. If that does not happen, the amendment further states: "...the relevant medical practitioner shall obtain the signature of the pregnant woman on the certification referred to in subsection (5) verifying that it is factually correct". Do the Deputies believe that is the appropriate time to ask an expectant mother who might going through a crisis pregnancy to do that? Furthermore, if the practitioner does not do it, the amendment states that a person who is guilty of a criminal offence is liable to 12 months in prison or "on conviction on indictment to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 4 years, or both,". That is for not carrying out an ultrasound. The practitioner then may ask the woman if she wants to see the image. Are they being serious? There is compulsion implied in that amendment and we should be straight and honest with people about that.

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