Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

This amendment proposes to insert a new section entitled, Provision of foetal ultrasound imaging and auscultation of foetal heart tone. It provides that at least 24 hours before the carrying out of a termination of a pregnancy in accordance with section 9, 11 or 12, the relevant medical practitioner or qualified person assisting the relevant medical practitioner shall perform ultrasound imaging of the foetus and auscultation of foetal heart tone. The critical point of relevance to colleagues is that the amendment is not providing for this to happen under the section 10 ground. To ensure this is clear to colleagues, the amount places an obligation on the doctor, but only to offer the ultrasound. It should be read in conjunction with what was said by me and Senator Ó Domhnaill earlier about the importance of providing information and respecting that a person who is a rational actor is entitled to be offered information that is relevant to the decision. When I criticised the Irish Family Planning Association earlier, I did so in the context of there having been documented evidence in the Irish Independentof cases where counsellors told women not to look at the ultrasound because it would upset them to do so.