Wexford councillor welcomes ‘major step forward’ for cancer survivors under Right to be Forgotten rules

A Wexford councillor has described new progress on the Right to be Forgotten legislation for cancer survivors as a “major step forward” in tackling discrimination in access to financial services.

Fine Gael Cllr Robbie Staples welcomed the move, which will see cancer survivors able to apply for mortgage protection insurance without their previous diagnosis being taken into account after five years’ remission, down from seven.

The legislation, which has passed through Oireachtas committee stage and is expected to be enacted before the summer recess, also raises the mortgage protection insurance threshold to €650,000, up from €500,000.

Speaking about the changes, Cllr Staples said the reform will help ensure survivors are no longer penalised by financial institutions once a set period has passed after treatment, allowing fairer access to mortgages and insurance products.

The Irish Cancer Society has also welcomed the development, saying people who have completed active cancer treatment should not face barriers when accessing financial services, highlighting ongoing issues around unfair treatment and refusals.

Cllr Staples said the legislation marks an important collaboration between policymakers and advocacy groups, and will provide greater dignity and fairness for people rebuilding their lives after cancer.