Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The amendment would place a legal requirement on the medical practitioner to carry out an ultrasound. It is an offer as to whether the woman wishes to view it or not but it is a requirement that the doctor must do it. The difference between this and the other examples that Senator Mullen referenced in which a woman may go for an ultrasound during pregnancy is there is choice. What he is doing here is stating a woman can access the service only after a mandatory ultrasound has taken place, which she may or may not choose to view. The Senator would subject, and I use the word “subject” because there is no choice in this, the woman to an ultrasound. He would direct doctors as to how they must use a diagnostic tool. It would be quite breathtaking for us as politicians to tell a doctor when it is appropriate to use a diagnostic tool.

The point made by Senator Higgins is valid. We have a lot of work to do in this country to continue to improve access to diagnostic tools and ultrasound.