Troy welcomes 'Right to Be Forgotten' legislation for cancer survivors
Local Minister of State and Longford Westmeath TD Robert Troy, has welcomed Government approval on the Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2025 to deliver a statutory 'Right to Be Forgotten' for cancer survivors.
Minister Troy adopted the Bill as a priority measure for Government last summer, following significant work by his party colleague, Deputy Catherine Ardagh.
The new laws will ensure cancer survivors can access mortgage protection insurance on fair and equitable terms.
He said the legislation would involve a reduction in the required remission period from seven years to five years in line with international medical standards and an increase in the sum-assured threshold from €500,000 to €650,000 to reflect the current housing market.
The amendments will place important consumer protections on a statutory footing for the first time, ensuring that cancer survivors who have completed treatment and have been in remission for five years are not unfairly penalised when applying for mortgage protection insurance in respect of their principal private residence.
“Every year, thousands of people complete cancer treatment and begin the journey back to everyday life, yet too many have found that financial barriers remained long after their illness had ended.
"These reforms recognise the reality that surviving cancer should mark a new chapter, not the continuation of obstacles and unfair judgement.
"The approved Government amendments strike a careful and responsible balance. They deliver strong, enforceable protections for cancer survivors while preserving the stability of the insurance market.
"Reducing the remission period and increasing the threshold ensures the law reflects current medical understanding and the true cost of home ownership in Ireland today.
"I am fully committed to progressing this legislation swiftly through the Oireachtas so that cancer survivors can benefit from these protections as soon as possible," Deputy Troy said.