Catherine Ardagh: Right to be Forgotten - When Will Amendments Come?
Catherine Ardagh presses the Taoiseach on the publication of government amendments required to advance the Right to be Forgotten legislation. She reminds the House that cancer survivors are waiting for certainty on life cover when buying a home.
Catherine Ardagh, speaking as the bill's sponsor, outlined that she previously introduced the Right to be Forgotten as a private member's bill. She noted the central bank amendment bill was adopted by government but said the necessary government amendments remain unpublished, delaying progress to commission stage.
Ardagh urged the Taoiseach to establish when the government amendments will be published so the bill can move to commission stage. She stressed that many cancer survivors are awaiting this legislation to provide certainty when seeking life cover for home purchases.
Ardagh explained the practical effect: after a period of roughly five years, a cancer diagnosis would not be considered by insurers when a survivor applies for life cover to buy a home. She framed the bill as a means for survivors to move on from their diagnosis and regain financial confidence.
Ardagh said she had spoken with the Taoiseach and Minister Robert Troy about the timeline and will refer the matter back because of its importance. She described the legislation as being of great benefit to those with cancer and survivors, and asked for clarity so the bill can progress further.
Summary of the exchange
Catherine Ardagh, speaking as the bill's sponsor, outlined that she previously introduced the Right to be Forgotten as a private member's bill. She noted the central bank amendment bill was adopted by government but said the necessary government amendments remain unpublished, delaying progress to commission stage.
Legislative status and immediate request
Ardagh urged the Taoiseach to establish when the government amendments will be published so the bill can move to commission stage. She stressed that many cancer survivors are awaiting this legislation to provide certainty when seeking life cover for home purchases.
What the Right to be Forgotten does
Ardagh explained the practical effect: after a period of roughly five years, a cancer diagnosis would not be considered by insurers when a survivor applies for life cover to buy a home. She framed the bill as a means for survivors to move on from their diagnosis and regain financial confidence.
Context and next steps
Ardagh said she had spoken with the Taoiseach and Minister Robert Troy about the timeline and will refer the matter back because of its importance. She described the legislation as being of great benefit to those with cancer and survivors, and asked for clarity so the bill can progress further.
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Transcript
Taoiseach, I previously introduced the Right to be Forgotten legislation as a private member's bill. The central bank amendment bill was adopted by government and obviously was part of the programme for government. However, we're still waiting on the government amendments so that the legislation can progress to commission stage. So many cancer survivors are waiting for this legislation to give them certainty, especially when they're looking to buy a home. For those at home, the Right to be Forgotten legislation allows cancer survivors to move on from their cancer diagnosis so that after a period of five years or so, it won't be considered when they are seeking life cover to purchase a home. So Taoiseach, I'm asking you today to try and find out when the government amendments will be published so that the Right to be Forgotten legislation can move to commission stage and so that the bill can progress further because there's a lot of people waiting for this legislation. Thank you very much. I attribute to you for the initiative that you have taken in terms of this legislation and you did introduce it. I talked to the Minister to the Taoiseach and to Minister Robert Troy as well in terms of when they expect the amendments to come forward. I will refer it back to you because I do think it's an important piece of legislation, particularly for those with cancer and survivors of cancer. This bill will be of great benefit.