Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to make several brief points on the amendment. The amendment specifies that the ultrasound shall be provided but it does not in any way confer responsibility on the woman to view the ultrasound. That is entirely optional. This is what happens in other jurisdictions, for example, a woman undertaking an abortion in the state of Ontario in Canada, where it is compulsory that the doctor carries out an ultrasound but it is entirely of the woman's choosing as to whether she views the ultrasound. The amendment is reflective of this position. Senator Mullen reflected the benefits of carrying it out not just to the woman but to the doctor because of the confirmation it can provide on the gestational age of the unborn, which is very important when we are playing around with weeks and days. There is a 12 week limit. When Dr. Boylan came before the committee, he spoke about the nine to 12 week window where women would require hospital management. This highlights the need for better informed medical practice in terms of having the advantages of ultrasound evidence.

There is also the opportunity that if a woman wishes to choose, we should not deny-----