Cancer survivors to benefit from changes to 'Right to be Forgotten' legislation

Cancer survivors are set to benefit from significant changes to Ireland's "Right to be Forgotten" legislation, with new reforms aimed at making it easier for people in remission to access financial products.

Under the changes, the waiting period before cancer survivors can apply for certain financial products, including some mortgages and life insurance policies, without having to disclose a previous cancer diagnosis will be reduced from seven years to five years after completing treatment.

The reform brings Ireland further into line with measures being introduced across the European Union, which are designed to ensure cancer survivors are not unfairly disadvantaged once their treatment has ended and they have been in remission for a number of years.

Supporters of the changes say the legislation recognises that many people go on to live long, healthy lives after cancer and should not continue to face barriers when applying for financial services.