08-07-2025
Legislation being fast-tracked to ensure cancer survivors can't be discriminated against by insurers
The legislation aims to ensure that people who have survived cancer are not penalised for their past health experiences when trying to buy a home or other financial activities.
The right-to-be-forgotten legislation to be brought forward by the Government before summer recess.
The move follows what the Government said was positive progress with a voluntary code of practice on the issue, introduced in 2023, by the insurance sector.
Minister of State Robert Troy said he has prioritised the Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2025 that will give effect to the right to be forgotten following industry engagement.
He said the Cabinet has now agreed to bring forward legislation which will ensure that cancer survivors cannot be discriminated against when it comes to certain insurance products, specifically mortgage protection.
The so-called 'Right to be Forgotten' legislation was introduced by Fianna Fail Deputy Catherine Ardagh under the Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2025.
Mr Troy said the voluntary code is being fully adhered to by the eight insurers who originally signed up.
A report from Forvis Mazars, on behalf of Insurance Ireland, found that more cancer survivors have access to mortgage protection without increased cost than prior to the introduction of the code.
Mr Troy said: 'Since taking on this brief, I have recognised the importance of the issue for cancer survivors, their partners, and families.
'By adopting this Bill in Government time and focusing on amendments at Committee stage, it has allowed me to introduce it faster and secure its place on the agenda before the summer recess.'
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Chief executive of the Irish Cancer Society Averil Power said the society released research in 2022 outlining how hard it was for people affected by cancer to access insurance and other financial products in Ireland.
'We found that only one in four cancer survivors felt they were treated fairly when buying financial products.
'After years of campaigning, we welcomed the introduction by Insurance Ireland of a voluntary code to improve access to mortgage protection insurance for cancer survivors.'
Ms Power said the Irish Cancer Society has consistently argued that legal protection was needed and that other insurance products should also be covered.
The Bill seeks to enshrine the 'Right to Be Forgotten' for cancer survivors in Irish law, ensuring they are not unfairly treated in accessing insurance products, such as mortgage protection insurance, due to their past medical history once they have met defined recovery milestones.
It is understood 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.
It is expected that committee stage amendments are also being prepared, and the Department of Finance will work in consultation with the Attorney General's Office, to ensure the bill is fully compliant with EU law and operationally viable.
