Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Abortion regret is made up and it does not exist. The amendment is faux concern for women and what it suggests is frightening, namely, mandating ultrasound. There is no choice for women. It is not about protecting women but rather judging, embarrassing and making them feel bad in the hope that if they are shamed, they might continue with the pregnancy because it suits the Deputies and their agenda.

The amendment goes on to mandate prison sentences for doctors who do not comply with it. It states "Before or during imaging" the woman will be asked whether she wants to look at the ultrasound. In practice, is the doctor supposed to rock up, scan her stomach and ask if she would like to take a look at it? It is utterly ridiculous. If the screen is there, it is hard to avert one's eyes. There is nothing in the amendment that speaks to consent, permission, bodily autonomy or the woman and what is best or right for her.

Ultrasound is diagnostic tool and it is for the doctors to decide. Many Deputies seem to believe they have acquired the expertise of medical professionals but they have not. We have all discussed the issue for some time, but I am not a doctor and nor are most of the Deputies, although there are some. The suggestion that the Deputies know what is best about how a diagnostic tool should and can be used is utterly ridiculous. The concern for women is misplaced at best.

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