Latest news with #CatherineArdagh
The Irish Sun
13-07-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
New ‘right to be forgotten' law for cancer survivors marks significant step – survivors deserve to move on with lives
THERE was some good news for cancer survivors this week. The Government said it will progress plans to give them the 'right to be forgotten' and end barriers to accessing financial products. 2 Robert Troy writes that cancer survivors deserve to move on with their lives without being penalised Credit: Alamy 2 The Government will bring forward legislation to enshrine in law that they have the 'right to be forgotten' Credit: Getty Images - Getty The Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2025 will ensure cancer survivors can't be discriminated against when it comes to obtaining certain insurance products, specifically mortgage protection, due to their medical history. For too long, cancer survivors in Ireland have faced an uphill battle not just in beating the cruel disease but then in rebuilding their lives, particularly when it comes to accessing basic financial products. Despite being in remission for years, many are penalised for their past diagnosis. The legislation was proposed by Fianna Fail's Catherine Ardagh. Writing in The Irish Sun on Sunday today, Robert Troy, Minister of State with special responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance, says a fairer deal for cancer survivors starts now. READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS THIS week marked a significant step forward in our commitment to fairness, transparency and compassion in the insurance market. The Government will bring forward legislation before the summer recess to enshrine in law the 'right to be forgotten' for At the heart of this legislation is a simple principle: if you've beaten cancer, your past diagnosis should not define your financial future. Survivors deserve to move on with their lives — to buy a home, protect their Most read in The Irish Sun Many cancer survivors in Ireland have found themselves excluded or charged unfairly when applying for basic financial protections like The major symptoms of 'common cancer' as HSE say 'know the signs' That's not right. It's not reflective of the person they are today, nor is it reflective of the values we aspire to as a country. That's why this Government is acting. This is a Bill with broad cross-party support. I must commend my Her effort over the years has allowed me to introduce it as a Government Bill, speeding up the process and advancing it before the summer recess. CERTAINTY NEEDED Her tireless advocacy has helped bring this issue to the fore and push it up the political agenda. The new legislation will start with mortgage protection — following international best practice — and we hope to review the scope of the legislation in future in a careful, informed way, with a view to delivering the most impact for the greatest number of people. I want to acknowledge the positive steps already taken within the industry. In 2023, a Voluntary Code of Practice was introduced by Insurance Ireland and supported by the Irish It was a welcome move that showed what is possible when an industry works with advocates and Government to do the right thing. However, voluntary codes alone aren't enough. Survivors deserve certainty. That's what this legislation will provide. ADVANCEMENT SHOULD NOT BE PUNISHED Enshrining this into law means While eight companies signed up to the Voluntary Code, its very nature meant they could withdraw or that new entrants to the market could disregard it. That will not be the case with this law. This is about removing unnecessary barriers to home ownership and It's about making sure our insurance system treats people with dignity, respect and fairness. And it's about restoring confidence that the market is transparent and working in the best interests of all citizens. Cancer is a monumental hill to climb for individuals, their partners and families. We are fortunate that with advances in That advancement should not be punished. Survivors who have been without treatment for seven years, or five if diagnosed under the age of 18, will now have clarity and comfort. This legislation is also a direct delivery on our Programme for Government commitment. It was included for a reason: because it's the right thing to do. REFORM FOR FAIRNESS The Government has been clear in its ambition to drive a more inclusive and fair insurance landscape. This announcement is a major milestone on that journey. It was a piece of legislation which I wanted to make real progress on when I took up my role in January and it is my intention that this Bill will be enacted before the end of the year. It is also important to recognise the ongoing work of the Irish Cancer Society whose campaigning and research has been instrumental, and Insurance Ireland, who have constructively engaged throughout and managed the Voluntary Code of Practice. Legislative drafting is underway and we are working closely with colleagues across We're also talking with key stakeholders to ensure the law strikes the right balance between consumer protection and market integrity. We want to send a clear message to cancer survivors: We see you, we support you, and we are changing the law to make your path forward easier. This reform is not about punishing insurers, it's about building a market that is based on fairness, transparency, and compassion. That's what modern Ireland should be about. And that is what this Government is delivering.
Extra.ie
08-07-2025
- Business
- Extra.ie
Cancer survivors to get equal access to protection on their mortgages
Ministers are expected to sign off on long-awaited legislation to give cancer survivors equal access to mortgage protection. The Cabinet is set to green-light a proposal, first introduced by then-Senator Catherine Ardagh in 2022, that will enshrine the 'right to be forgotten' for survivors when accessing mortgage insurance policies. Today's top videos STORY CONTINUES BELOW Fianna Fáil TD Ms Ardagh told yesterday she is 'delighted' to see the proposal being adopted by the Government. Catherine Ardagh. Pic: Tom Honan 'It will mean potentially thousands of cancer survivors each year will no longer be at the whim of insurance companies, and there will be full equality when it comes to accessing financial products and services,' she said. The law, which the Coalition committed to passing in the Programme for Government, will prohibit insurers from discriminating against people who have been in remission from cancer for seven years, or five for people diagnosed in childhood. While Ms Ardagh's legislation pertains to financial products at large, the Government will 'substantially' amend the laws to focus on mortgage protection insurance, in line with EU best practice. Mortgage Protection. Pic: Getty Images 'This route provides the most efficient and effective way to deliver this important legislation within a realistic legislative window, building on the work to date carried out by Deputy Ardagh,' a Government source said. Minister of State for Insurance Reform Robert Troy said last week he is hopeful the legislation can be introduced before the summer recess. Research from the Irish Cancer Society, published in February 2022, shows that people affected by cancer reported difficulty at a 'significantly higher rate than the general population' when it came to buying financial products and services. The group highlighted difficulties in accessing income protection, travel insurance and mortgage insurance. Pic: Getty Images 'Overall, the difficulties may suggest significant challenges in becoming a homeowner,' the report stated. 'To illustrate, one quarter of those affected by cancer had difficulties obtaining an owner-occupier mortgage, compared to 11% in the general population. Over one in three affected by cancer had difficulty getting life insurance, compared to 10% in the general population.' The legislation was first introduced by Ms Ardagh during the last Seanad term to enshrine survivors' right to be forgotten and was co-signed by Jerry Buttimer of Fine Gael and Paul Gavan of Sinn Féin. But the laws were met with opposition from the insurance industry, with Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe effectively killing the legislation after providers warned it could lead to 'detrimental effects for other customers'. Paschal Donohoe. Pic: Leah Farrell/ In 2023, Insurance Ireland rolled out a code of practice asking insurers to ignore cancer diagnoses if a treatment ended over seven years ago. Ms Ardagh said the legislation will enforce the voluntary code on a statutory basis and that its passage is 'overdue'. 'Right now, people who have beaten cancer and have been in remission for years are still being penalised when they apply for financial products such as insurance. This Bill aims to change that,' she told the Dáil in February, when she reintroduced the legal amendment. She added: 'While our healthcare system has made great progress with survival rates increasing year on year, our financial system has not kept pace. Every year, approximately 44,000 people here are diagnosed with cancer. Thanks to advances in treatment… 60% will survive beyond five years. 'These people have already fought one of the hardest battles imaginable, yet many find themselves being refused products or being charged excessive premiums because they once had cancer. That is neither right nor fair.' It is understood that a memo to give way to the legislation will be brought forward under Mr Donohoe's name, recommending that Government time be used to progress the Bill. Once Cabinet has agreed to 'adopt and substantially amend' the Bill, the Department of Finance will work with the Attorney General's Office 'to ensure it is fully compliant with EU law and operationally viable'.
Irish Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Government to progress 'right to be forgotten' for cancer survivors
The Government will progress plans to give cancer survivors the 'right to be forgotten' and end barriers to accessing financial products. The plans will be brought forward by Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe and will see legislation proposed by Fianna Fáil's Catherine Ardagh progressed. She introduced the proposals in February, arguing that those who have survived cancer ' deserve to be treated fairly when accessing financial products such as mortgages, health insurance, and travel insurance'. Sources said on Monday evening that the Department of Finance has engaged extensively with stakeholders, including the Irish Cancer Society, Insurance Ireland, regulators, and international peers, in order to identify the most appropriate and effective means to progress this legislation. This culminated in the recommendation to adopt and substantially amend the Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2025, introduced by Deputy Ardagh. Minister Donohoe will recommend that the Bill should be progressed through the second stage of the legislative process. Committee Stage amendments are also being prepared as the Department of Finance works in consultation with the Attorney General's Office to ensure the Bill is fully compliant with EU law and operationally viable. The amendments will ensure that the Bill is focused on mortgage protection insurance, in line with EU best practice. Elsewhere, the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) will be able to sell off the assets of crime within two years rather than seven under plans to be brought to Cabinet by Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan. Cabinet will hear that the confiscation of criminal proceeds is 'an essential means of combatting organised crime as it deprives criminals of illicit profits, preventing the further investment of criminal proceeds in either the legitimate economy or criminal enterprises'. When a judicial determination is made that assets are the proceeds of crime, it will allow for the 'immediate and automatic appointment of a receiver' to ensure that the criminals cannot continue to benefit from those assets pending a final disposal order being made. In the EU, estimated criminal revenues amount to almost €110 billion per year, which is equivalent to 1% of EU GDP. In Ireland, the value of crime markets is calculated at €1.7 billion per annum. Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill will bring a memo to crack down on overspending in the health service. This will put requirements on the HSE Board and CEO regarding appropriate systems, procedures and practices to 'exercise the highest standards of prudent and effective financial and budgetary management'. It will also require that proposals for corrective action be put in place where expenditure levels have been exceeded. Arts Minister Patrick O'Donovan will provide an update on the National Broadband Plan and will tell Cabinet that it will be delivered 'ahead of time and within budget'. He will also tell ministers that a Daniel O'Connell commemorative programme of events will take place, featuring a state-led commemoration in Derrynane House in Kerry, the gifting of a statue from Bank of Ireland, the creation of special stamps by An Post and commemorative coins from the Central Bank. Environment Minister Darragh O'Brien will seek approval of the Air Pollution Act (Amendment) Bill 2025. This will further support enforcement personnel to protect public health from the impacts of air pollution and to support continuous improvement in air quality. Sources stated that it will not impact the current arrangements for householders and makes no changes to the existing rules relating to turf.
Irish Independent
19-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Child Benefit rates will not be cut to fund a second rate for less well-off families
A two-tier children's allowance payment would cost €773m, an Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection heard yesterday, and would help to lift 55,000 children out of poverty. Taoiseach Micheál Martin, said on Monday that two rates of the benefit are being considered and that 'nothing is off the table' when it comes to a more targeted Child Benefit payment. 'We are looking for more targeted responses on the child poverty issue,' he said. Government sources indicated last night that there would be no question of reducing the universal €140 rate to fund the new top-up rate. Child Benefit was cut in 2010 to €140 a month and while one-off double payments have been made, the rate has not increased in 14 years. The history of Child Benefit being cut during the recession has resulted in some 'anxiety' among parents that it would be cut again, according to a source, but another cut to the universal rate would not be politically viable now. 'It is not 2010, and while we had some cover to do it then, we definitely wouldn't have the cover to do it now,' a source said. Meanwhile, one government TD is calling for children with a disability to be included in any second-tier payment. Fianna Fáil's Catherine Ardagh said there are 'huge costs' to raising a child with a disability and that including them in a top-up payment is 'the right thing to do'. She said additional costs can include a range of therapies that many families have to pay for privately, but also additional activities or separate days out from the rest of the family to suit a child's needs. The Dublin South-West TD said the new second-tier payment needs to be introduced 'as a matter of urgency', but more senior sources suggest that it is not guaranteed in next year's Budget and may well be the following year. The ESRI recommended the second-tier payment as a way of reducing child poverty. Over 100,000 children in Ireland live in consistent poverty. About half are children of lone parents or parents with a disability. The ESRI's Karina Doorley said that the welfare system is the best way to reduce child poverty.
RTÉ News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Ardagh sorry over absence during specially created slot
Updated / Thursday, 8 May 2025 14:55 Fianna Fáil TD Catherine Ardagh has apologised after she failed to turn to ask a question in the specially-created speaking slot for government backbenchers and the Independent TDs supporting the coalition. The TD was attending the first meeting of the new Public Accounts Committee this morning and did not have phone coverage in the basement rooms of Leinster House. "I was fully engaged with listening to the C&AG," she said. The Dublin South Central TD said it was unusual for her to miss any chance to ask a question in the Dáil and she put it down to human error. The issue of speaking rights for a number of Independent TDs and backbenchers convulsed the Dáil from January to April and it delayed the nomination of Micheál Martin as Taoiseach. It also paused the setting of Oireachtas committees for several months. Reacting in the Dáil chamber to Ms Ardagh's absence after her name was called by Leas Ceann Comhairle John McGuinness, Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty said it was "so embarrassing" for the Government. "You did all this for Lowry and now your back benchers don't even turn up... so much for back benchers wanting time in Leaders' Questions," he said.
