Government approves landmark “Right to Be Forgotten” legislation for cancer survivors
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From: Department of Finance
- Published on: 28 April 2026
- Last updated on: 28 April 2026
Today, the Government has approved a Memorandum brought forward by the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris TD, providing for Government amendments to the Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2025 to deliver a statutory “Right to Be Forgotten” for cancer survivors.
The approved 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.
The legislation gives effect to a Programme for Government commitment, replacing a voluntary code with a legally enforceable framework that goes beyond the voluntary code in key aspects while also seeking to provide certainty for consumers and consistency across the insurance market.
Amendments approved by Government
The Government amendments will:
- reduce the remission period from seven years to five years, regardless of age at diagnosis, in line with international medical standards for the end of cancer surveillance;
- apply a statutory disregard of certain cancer-related medical history to mortgage protection insurance cover of up to €650,000, increased from €500,000 to reflect the current housing market;
- permit normal underwriting above that threshold, ensuring the measure remains proportionate, sustainable, and compliant with EU insurance law and industry practice; and
provide for review of the threshold every five years, informed by CSO residential property price data and stakeholder consultation;
The amendments also include necessary technical changes to the Insurance Acts 1936 and 1964 to complete reforms to the Insurance Compensation Fund in line with EU requirements.
To reflect the amendments and scope of the Bill, it will be retitled the Insurance (Disregard of Certain Medical History and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026.
Background
The Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2025 originated as a Private Members’ Bill introduced by Deputy Catherine Ardagh and was adopted by Government as a priority measure in July 2025. Since then, the Department of Finance has worked with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government and stakeholders including the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman, Insurance Ireland, the Irish Society of Medical Oncologists, the Society of Actuaries in Ireland, the Irish Cancer Society, and other Member States who have similar measures in place, in order to develop amendments that bring the framework from a voluntary to a legislative footing.
The legislation builds on the Voluntary Code of Practice introduced by Insurance Ireland in December 2023. An independent review by Forvis Mazars in 2025 found the Code to be broadly effective, but highlighted the limitations of a voluntary, non‑enforceable framework.
The Government’s approach addresses these limitations by ensuring consistent application across the market and giving survivors of cancer who meet the criteria the legal certainty they need to move forward with confidence.
Speaking following Government approval, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris TD said:
“Today is a deeply significant day for cancer survivors and their families. Many people who have beaten cancer continued to face barriers. A cancer diagnosis should never define a person’s future, and should not stand in the way of something as fundamental as owning a home or providing security for their family.
By placing a statutory “Right to Be Forgotten” into law, Government is ensuring that people who have completed cancer treatment and are in remission are treated fairly and consistently when accessing mortgage protection insurance. Reducing the remission period to five years and increasing the mortgage protection threshold to €650,000 ensures these protections align with international medical standards and the realities of today’s housing market.
I am particularly pleased that these measures move beyond a voluntary code and will now be firmly embedded in legislation. This provides certainty for cancer survivors, consistency across the market, and real peace of mind for cancer survivors who are moving forward with their lives. This is a hugely important and compassionate step forward and I anticipate constructive engagement of all colleagues across the Oireachtas to ensure that this important legislation is enacted without delay.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance Robert Troy TD said:
“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 want to acknowledge the work of many to ensuring these Governments amendments have been approved but, in particular, the Irish Cancer Society and Deputy Catherine Ardagh, whose longstanding commitment and advocacy have been instrumental in bringing us to this point.
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.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
In the existing Voluntary Code of Practice, introduced by Insurance Ireland in December 2023, cancer diagnoses are disregarded after seven years have elapsed from treatment completion, or after five years where the individual was under eighteen at the date of diagnosis, for sums insured up to €500,000.
An independent review of the Voluntary Code by Forvis Mazars in May 2025 found, across the eight firms signed up to the Code, that 1,300 applications were received for a disregard between December 2023 and December 2024. 50% (650) of those applications received cover under the Code of Practice, amounting to €96m sum insured.
For those applications that did not meet the provisions of the Code of Practice, it was due to the applicant not meeting the length of time required under the Code of Practice, the mortgage not being for the applicant’s principal private residence, or other factors. No instance was found of any individual, who met the parameters of the Code of Practice, being refused cover for reasons due to their cancer diagnosis.
The Central Bank (Amendment) Bill was originally introduced in 2022 by Senator Catherine Ardagh and Senator Jerry Buttimer. Deputy Catherine Ardagh and Deputy Erin McGreehan subsequently introduced the Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2025 in February 2025. Following Cabinet approval on 8 July 2025, Government adopted Deputy Ardagh’s Bill as a priority piece of legislation. The Bill passed Second Stage in Dáil Éireann on 17 July 2025.
In adopting and amending the Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2025, Government seeks to enshrine a “Right to Disregard” for cancer survivors in Irish law, ensuring they are treated fairly in accessing mortgage protection insurance. The amendments will provide for a statutory “right to disregard” for certain cancer-related medical history in the underwriting of mortgage protection insurance.
While colloquially referred to as a “Right to be Forgotten”, the legislation provides for the medical history of cancer survivors to be disregarded when applying for mortgage protection insurance. The Department of Finance will work directly with industry to ensure a smooth transition from the Voluntary Code to a statutory framework.