Seanad debates

Tuesday, 11 December 2018

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed)

 

10:30 am

Photo of Brian Ó DomhnaillBrian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Choice can be selective, it would appear, when required to be.This amendment follows through on the only detailed analysis carried out in the aftermath of the referendum. That was a field survey carried out by Amárach Research in August 2018 and published in October 2018. The gender breakdown of respondents was 49% men to 51% women. It was carried out across social classes, age groupings and regions of the country. Respondents were asked if they thought a woman seeking an abortion should be offered the choice of seeing an ultrasound before going through with the abortion. Some 1,000 people were surveyed. That provides an accuracy level of plus or minus 3%. The results of that survey indicated that 21% of all adults felt that an ultrasound should not be offered. However, 79% of adults surveyed said that the choice of seeing the ultrasound should be offered. Members should remember I am referring to the choice of seeing the ultrasound.

Otherwise, the woman will presumably have to obtain an ultrasound herself. There may be an additional cost burden for her associated with that. That is the purpose of this amendment. It is grounded in survey analysis from Amárach Research, which is the latest survey analysis in the aftermath of the referendum. The amendment is grounded in an attempt to facilitate the voice of the people. It is a reasonable amendment and it is grounded in choice. To suggest otherwise is to do a disservice.

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