Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assure people on the record of the House in the context of this legislation that great progress has been made in recent days to ensure there will be access to ultrasound where it is clinically appropriate. Let us be clear. There will be many occasions where a doctor will believe it appropriate for a woman to have an ultrasound and those resources and services will be in place. The difference is the doctor will make the decision as to whether the woman needs the ultrasound or the doctor needs it to obtain information. I am medically advised that a clinical assessment of dates in early pregnancy can be more accurate for estimating gestation than an ultrasound. Any woman who has been pregnant will be familiar with the process of going to the doctor and the doctor being able to date the pregnancy in discussion linked to LMP.

We had a lengthy discussion over the course of many hours about access and how we make sure there are not barriers to access. There are different views in the House as to how this is achieved. Certainly an ultrasound would mean an extra visit quite potentially for a woman, thus making access to termination more difficult. It is important to point out that I am medically advised the international guidelines do not recommend routine ultrasound in early pregnancy. This is really the case, I respectfully suggest. It is the job of medics to decide when it is appropriate for an ultrasound to take place and it is my responsibility to make sure they are in place for when the doctor makes that decision but not for when politicians make that decision.