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Irish Times
13 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Minister who lost two siblings to cancer introduces ‘right to be forgotten' law
Cancer survivors will have the 'right to be forgotten' to allow them to obtain mortgage protection without discrimination based on their past diagnosis. Legislation is now expected to be passed by the Oireachtas in the autumn. It was first introduced in the Seanad by then Fianna Fáil senator Catherine Ardagh in October 2022, was reintroduced by her as a TD in the Dáil in February, and has now been taken up by the Government. Minister of State for Finance Robert Troy said: 'For too long cancer survivors in Ireland have faced a challenging and unfair situation where they can be refused cover or be charged higher premiums because of their past diagnosis.' Mr Troy said the Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 'aims to put a stop to this by giving effect to the right-to-be-forgotten concept that is now becoming recognised throughout Europe'. Laws are already in place in France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. READ MORE The Minister, who has special responsibility for insurance, reintroduced the Bill in the Dáil on the last day before the summer recess. Mr Troy said: 'I lost two siblings to cancer and I see it as a great privilege to be in a position to effect positive change.' The Bill 'gives statutory weight to protections that were previously voluntary, making them enforceable by law'. He said his is a 'crucial step forward'. 'At the heart of the Bill is the straightforward but powerful principle that, where survivors have completed treatment and remained in remission for a defined period, a past cancer diagnosis should not be held against them in the underwriting of mortgage protection insurance.' They will not have to disclose their cancer after a set period of remission. A five-year timeline is under consideration. [ Buying a home after surviving cancer: 'No matter how much paperwork I gave, it never sufficed for mortgage protection' Opens in new window ] Under a previous, voluntary code, not adopted by some insurers, a survivor could access mortgage protection after seven years of remission or five years if individuals were diagnosed when under the age of 18. The Bill focuses solely on cancer survivors and mortgage protection and does not cover other financial products or medical conditions. Mr Troy said this is for 'prioritisation and pragmatism'. They were taking a 'stepwise approach similar to other EU member states, focusing first on where the need is greatest and where there is the clearest evidence base'. Ms Ardagh said discrimination can be very damaging, 'with people having to relive their cancer diagnosis'. People have been quoted 'prohibitively high premiums' despite being in remission for many years. 'It has meant house purchases collapsing at the very last minute, family plans being put on hold, or feeling trapped by a system that continues to define them by the most difficult chapter in their lives.' Sinn Féin's Máire Devine welcomed the Bill but questioned if five years cancer-free was fair. There are 'the difficult years of battling cancer', but only when they are cancer-free 'does the clock start for five years of waiting to apply for a mortgage'. 'That does not seem right to me,' she said.
Irish Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Sinn Féin wants 111 changes to Bill reforming ‘triple lock' Irish troop deployment
The Government is set to square off with Opposition parties over proposed amendments to its plan to reform the 'triple lock' mechanism for deploying Irish troops overseas. Public sessions were held by the Oireachtas defence committee as part of pre-legislative scrutiny of the Government's plan to remove the need for United Nations Security Council approval of Irish peacekeeping missions with more than 12 troops. The Government contends countries like Russia have the power, under the UN Security Council motion requirement, to veto Ireland's participation in missions. The defence committee must publish a report on the proposal before it is sent back to the Dáil and Seanad for further consideration. A draft report has been circulated and amendments have been proposed by Opposition parties. READ MORE Sinn Féin has submitted 111 amendments to the Bill. The committee is due to meet in private this week to discuss its recommendations and conclusions, which have not yet been agreed. While the committee is chaired by Sinn Féin's Rose Conway-Walsh , Government TDs and Senators have a majority of the membership. Sinn Féin's defence spokesman, Cork South Central TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire , is seeking to insert a recommendation that the Government must drop the sectionthat would remove the UN mandate requirement. Currently the UN mandate, Government approval and a Dáil vote make up a triumvirate of pre-deployment sanctions that have come to be known as the triple lock. [ The triple lock - a guardrail of neutrality, or an abandonment of sovereignty? Opens in new window ] The Bill, as proposed by Government, envisages just Government and Dáil approval would be needed in future. The vast majority of the evidence heard by the committee during the pre-legislative scrutiny stage relates to this aspect, which is by far the most contentious part of the Bill. The draft report outlines that the committee heard Ireland 'appears to be in a unique position globally' in explicitly requiring a UN mandate for the overseas deployment of military personnel as part of an international force. It outlines that some witnesses and contributors - and a majority of public submissions received - 'were clear in their view that neutrality is a key consideration which is central to the proposed legislation'. Sinn Féin is further arguing that the proposed legislation should be modified to recommend the convening of a citizens assembly to consider potential wording for a constitutional provision outlining and protecting Ireland's neutrality. The party wants a referendum to be held thereafter to 'definitively enshrine neutrality in the Constitution'. The Labour Party has also sought changes, including in connection with its concern that each overseas mission could end up being litigated to ensure it is consistent with UN Charter principles. It wants to an amendment calling on the Minister for Defence to publish details about how the new arrangements will work. It also wants safeguards against the dispatch of the Defence Forces in circumstances where it could give rise to liability for the crime of aggression before the International Criminal Court. The party also wants a change to the Bill to the effect that the triple lock would only be lifted if a proposed mission was denied UN Security Council approval due to a veto from a permanent member. It is asking for specific circumstances to be set out in the legislation where troops might be deployed under the new system and seeks for troops to remain under Irish command.
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
'I haven't made up my mind': Éamon Ó Cuiv yet to decide on run for presidency
Former Fianna Fáil TD Éamon Ó Cuiv is the latest name to be touted as a possible Fianna Fáil presidential candidate with the former Galway West TD saying he is waiting for the party to confirm it is running a candidate. Mr Ó Cuiv said he hadn't 'made up his mind' on a run, but indicated he would be interested in the role. He said there needs to be two decisions by Fianna Fáil ahead of his confirmation, one of which is whether or not the party would run a candidate. The second block is whether there would be a candidate selected by the party's leadership or if there would be an open contest. 'Until the process is clear, I haven't made up my mind. It's a way down the road,' Mr Ó Cuiv said. Mr Ó Cuiv, who stood down at the last general election, is the grandson of former Taoiseach, President and Fianna Fáil founder Eamon de Valera. He said grassroots members from across the country have approached him asking him to run. Mr Ó Cuiv said the election itself is 'very unpredictable' and it is hard to get a fix on support levels for the current frontrunners, as the field is not yet complete. At present, the only two candidates confirmed to be running are Fine Gael's Mairead McGuinness and independent TD Catherine Connolly. It comes amid speculation that former chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan, could be considering a tilt at the presidency and that Fianna Fáil could be interested. One Fianna Fáil TD said the party would be 'mad' to consider running Mr Holohan, while another said there was 'too much baggage' around the former chief medical officer following the covid-19 pandemic. Party sources have said they believe any candidate run by the party must be of high calibre, warning against running a candidate who would only act as 'a sweeper' for Ms McGuinness. Fianna Fáil TDs have said there is not a lot of excitement around some names suggested to be the Fianna Fáil candidate, including Mr Holohan and Derry-based academic Deirdre Heenan – who was suggested on Monday as a possible contender for the party. Catherine Connolly has already secured the 20 Oireachtas votes to get on the ballot paper. File photo: Sasko Lazarov / © Meanwhile, it is understood the Green Party is seeking to meet with Ms Connolly later this week, ahead of any decision to back the independent candidate. While Ms Connolly has already secured the 20 Oireachtas votes to get on the ballot paper, if she secures the Green Party support it would be a third party – alongside the Social Democrats and People Before Profit – to back her campaign. A final decision on whether to back Ms Connolly would come down to a decision by the Green Party's national executive, it is understood. Over the weekend, Lord of the Dance and Riverdance star Michael Flatley said he was 'seriously considering' running in the upcoming election. However, former Labour leader Pat Rabbitte confirmed he is not interested in running for the presidency, saying his comments over the weekend should not have been taken seriously.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Letters to the Editor, July 21st: On what political polls reveal, defending bedsits, and waking up to woke
Sir, – According to your recent poll, 25 per cent of voters are undecided, and 20 per cent of those who did express a preference said they would vote for an Independent candidate. Doing the maths, this means that a total of 40 per cent of the electorate do not support any of the nine political parties in the Oireachtas. Is this a record for your series of polls? This suggests a truly extraordinary level of dissatisfaction with both the two main parties and with the various parties of the left, and that an unhealthy proportion of the electorate feel disconnected from our political presents significant dangers. READ MORE First, every single country in Europe – without exception – has at least one new party on the populist right which emerged over the last two decades, capitalising on a similar disconnect among voters, and which now enjoys at least 25 per cent of the vote. Do we think that Ireland is immune from this trend? All that's needed is the emergence of a party with credible leadership which has broad appeal to urban and rural voters. Second, the ground which any new party might seize is that same ground on the centre right which has been completely abandoned by both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil over the last decade, and whose combined total support continues to plumb historic depths in your opinion polls as a result. If one or both of these parties doesn't return to this political ground, then they may find – as establishment parties have in Europe – that they will have the electoral rug taken out from under them. – Yours, etc, BARRY WALSH, Clontarf, Dublin 3. Bishop Eamonn Casey removal Sir, – Credit to the Galway diocese for taking the absolutely correct decision in removing Bishop Eamonn Casey's remains from the crypt in Galway Cathedral. I was sure they would play the long game and hope it would all be forgotten about. Well done to the decision makers. – Yours, etc, JOE HARVEY, Glenageary, Dublin. Medical consultation fees Sir, – Regarding Niall H Doyle's letter about a GP consultation fee hike to €90 (July18th), my GP is also in Rathfarnham and charges a far more reasonable ¤60. I'm now alarmed that he may be an Irish Times reader! – Yours, etc, ANNETTE QUINN, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16. Sir, – Your writer to The Irish Times asks if €90 is a record for a GP consultation fee. I can confirm an extraordinary fee paid to a local chiropodist – €90 some months ago. When I stated the fee was more than I would pay to my doctor, the chiropodist reply was that she was the senior chiropodist. I considered the charge was outrageous and did not avail of the service again. – Yours, etc, MARY McCARTHY, Blackrock, Co Dublin. Local property tax increases Sir, – I was disappointed to read 'T he Irish Times view on the local property tax ,' July 15th. The editorial took a clear stance that 'homeowners can pay a bit more' and criticised the decision taken by myself and my colleagues on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to maintain the 15 per cent reduction in the LPT rate for next year. Surprisingly, the editorial made no reference to the revaluation of properties for LPT purposes that will take place in November. This revaluation, taking into account the significant property price increases since 2021, will result in all homeowners paying a bit more in 2026. It is estimated that this revaluation will see homeowners in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown contribute an extra €10.85 million to next year's council budget. This will facilitate significant expansion of the council's budget for 2026, well ahead of inflation. In this context, I do not see how we could justify imposing further tax increases on local homeowners. – Yours, etc, CLLR EOIN O'DRISCOLL (FG), Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Dublin. Minding children Sir, – I refer to your letter from Siobhán McDermott regarding long summer holidays (July 19th). Teachers are educators, not childcare providers. Schools are educational establishments, they do not exist to mind children while parents work. Deciding to have children means that you take responsibility for them and care for them regardless of how inconvenient that might be for your working life. Let's look at the workplace. – Yours, etc, KATHY CURZON, Co Cork. Sir, – To all those young parents sitting in cafes and parks busy on their phones and devices while ignoring their toddlers and children, I suggest a listen to the song Cat's in the Cradle by Harry Chapin would be useful. He describes so well how; fast forward 10 or 15 years, your children may be less interested in chatting to you than they are now. Enjoy it while you can. – Yours, etc, DAVID S KELLY, Dublin 16. Waking up to woke Sir, – As a plus -70 year-old grandfather I've only become aware of the word 'woke' lately. I hear it being used as a term of derision by various individuals on radio and social media. It seems to this old geezer that to have empathy with people who are suffering or downtrodden is a symptom of wokeness. To be accepting of LGBTQ folk and other ethnicities is also a sign that you might be inclined to be woke. To be on the side of the women and children in Palestine would definitely qualify you. I personally tick a lot of the boxes to be labelled a woke oul fella. And I'm'm proud of it. – Yours, etc, PAT BURKE WALSH, Ballymoney, Co Wexford. In defence of bedsits Sir, – Many years ago, I spent some quality time in a bedsit in Clontarf in Dublin. It was on the third floor of a large period house shared with four other bedsits on the same floor. In modern day estate agent parlance, it would be described as comfortable, in a highly sought after area, good value for money in the current challenging rental market, ergonomically compact with modern conveniences and nice sea views. In reality, the single bed was jammed up against the wall and took up over 75 per cent of the room. The wardrobe consisted of a length of coarse twine hovering over the bed, one end tied to the curtain rail and the other attached to a six-inch masonry nail partially hammered into the door frame. The cooking facilities included a two-ring camping gas stove balanced precariously on an orange box advertising sun-kissed oranges from Seville. There was a small corner sink by the window. The sea could be viewed by exiting the building and walking down the road towards Dublin Bay. Crucially, the main convenience, the toilet, was located on the landing and shared by all and sundry, often resulting in slow moving queues, particularly bothersome when nature was pressing, Of course, a bedsit wouldn't be a bedsit without at least a couple of resident mice, but I had at least four. We coexisted for the while as I didn't bother them and they didn't bother me. The real convenience, not to be underestimated, was that, such was the proximity to everything, all the conveniences could be operated without getting out of bed in the morning, like putting on the kettle, brushing your teeth and turning on the cooker with your big toe to make the porridge, thus gaining an extra 10 minutes shut eye before going to work. In retrospect, the experience wasn't all bad, but like the banks and the financial system and everything else at the time, the much-maligned bedsit suffered from light touch or, more accurately, zero regulation, but surely the resurrection of the modest bedsit could make substantial inroads into the current homeless and housing problems. – Yours, etc, JOHN LEAHY, Wilton Road, Cork. Revenue hours Sir, – The contact hours for Irish revenue are 9.3 0am–4.30pm. If only the rest of the working population had these terms of employment. – Yours, etc, MARY GARDINER, Co Wicklow In praise of Fintan Sir, – Fintan O'Toole's moving and disturbing account of the 'non-resting place' at the former Bon Secours Mother and Baby home in Tuam (July 15th) is typical of his eloquence, knowledge, research and insight. I am inclined to say that there is really no one in my own country quite his match – or I would be if we didn't have the good fortune of being able to read him regularly in The New York Review of Books. – Yours, etc, VICTOR LUFTIG, Virginia, United States. Garda check point Sir, – I was startled today by the headline, ' Garda revokes more that 900 speed camera fines on stretch of N25 due to human error, ' (July 18th). To my great relief, the headline did not reflect the article's content. A single garda had not taken unilateral action to cancel hundreds of fines. It was actually the organisation – An Garda Síochána – which had taken action. What a relief! – Yours, etc, S NESTOR, Co Louth. Carry on writing Sir, – Little did I realise that a casual decision to write to another national newspaper would trigger a flurry of correspondence about how to be published in this newspaper. I can assure you and your readers that it was not a migration, merely akin to a midweek break. I decided to unmask myself as to paraphrase Oscar Wilde, there is only one thing worse than being written about and that is to be written about anonymously. – Yours, etc, DAVID LOUGHLIN, Rathmines, Dublin 6. Sir, – As regular letter writers to The Irish Times have attested, most letters don't get published. The limited available space cannot accommodate all the submissions. The editor is left with the difficult job of choosing only a few. Far from this being seen as a problem, most letter writers don't seem to mind, and many probably enjoy that it is difficult, as it then seems more of an achievement if a letter does get in. Overall, this tried and tested system of selection and curation, used by many newspapers and magazines, works well. The typical letters page contains a diverse range of opinions, politely conducted arguments, praise and dispraise of people for their actions or views, and plenty of good-natured debate and disagreement. The same cannot always be said of forums where everything gets published. – Yours, etc, COLIN WALSH, Templeogue, Dublin 6W. Sir, – I share the frustration of your many letter writers whose efforts are not acknowledged in your pages. I too have written innumerable letters . . . to the Ephesians, Thessalonians, Corinthians, Timothy et al. To date I have not received one reply. –Yours, etc, (Paul) TOM McGRATH, Ashford, Co Wicklow. Sir, – I didn't realise that the easiest way to get a letter published is to write one about a letter being published. May I have one too? – Yours, etc, DR MARIA O'BRIEN, Bayside, Dublin.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Independent Ireland open to talking to Holohan and Flatley should they seek presidential nominations
Independent Ireland is open to talking to former chief medical officer (CMO) Tony Holohan and Irish dancing star Michael Flatley , should they seek nominations from Oireachtas members to enter the presidential election , party leader Michael Collins has said. Meanwhile, former Fianna Fáil minister Mary Hanafin, who has expressed an interest in running herself, said at the weekend it would be 'an insult' to the office of the presidency if her party does not run a candidate . Last week saw the presidential election race heat up. The first declared candidates – former European Commissioner and Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness and Independent TD Catherine Connolly – emerged in the battle to succeed President Michael D Higgins. READ MORE [ Mairead McGuinness leads the field in a list of potential presidential election candidates, poll shows Opens in new window ] A report in the Irish Mail on Sunday suggested that Mr Holohan is preparing to launch a bid to become president. The newspaper quoted him as neither confirming or denying this. Last night, Mr Holohan, who became the public face of the State's response to the Covid-19 pandemic, told The Irish Times: 'I have nothing further to add to this story as yet'. Separately Lord of the Dance star Mr Flatley did not rule himself out of seeking a nomination to run for the presidency. Mr Flatley suggested on RTÉ Radio 1 that he may run 'if I thought that I could be of benefit to the Irish people' . Those wishing to secure a place on the presidential election ballot paper must secure nominations from 20 Oireachtas members or four local authorities. Independent Ireland leader Mr Collins expressed an openness to hearing from Mr Holohan and Mr Flatley should they approach his party seeking nominations. Independent Ireland have four TDs and Mr Collins said 'those four votes could be vital to some candidate'. He said: 'We haven't signed for anybody as of yet.' He said the party had already met three individuals in relation to the presidency – businessman Declan Ganley, Ms Connolly, and another person who wants to remain private for now. Mr Collins said: 'We'd be open to meeting everyone that wants to have a discussion with us' while 'they have to have a realistic chance' and prove they have 16 other votes. Fianna Fáil minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chamber's said he was not aware of any engagements between his party and Mr Holohan when asked about the former CMO on RTÉ radio. He also said Fianna Fáil was 'assessing its options' on the presidential election when asked if he agreed with the view expressed by Ms Hanafin at the Patrick MacGill Summer School that it would be 'an insult' to the office of the presidency if her party did not contest the election. She told those present: 'I firmly believe that the largest party of the country, which is the largest at local level, largest at national level, should be running'. Ms Hanafin has made clear her desire to run for Fianna Fáil but is yet to receive public support from senior party figures. Mr Chambers said Fianna Fáil is listening to its members and will make a decision on the presidential election in early autumn.
