Latest news with #CentralBank(Amendment)Bill2025
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- 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.
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
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.' ADVERTISEMENT Learn more 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.
