Simon Harris, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance at Government of Ireland, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“A cancer diagnosis shouldn’t define someone’s future.
Today, I will bring forward changes to the law to help. A ‘Right to Be Forgotten’ law which will ensure that cancer survivors, those in remission for five years aren’t unfairly penalised when applying for mortgage protection insurance.
The threshold has been raised to €650,000 to reflect today’s housing market, and the remission period reduced from seven years to five, in line with international medical standards. This moves us beyond a voluntary code and into enforceable law giving survivors the certainty and peace of mind to move forward with their lives.
A hugely important step forward. Grateful to my colleague, Robert Troy and to Catherine Ardagh for all their work on this also. We intend to have this law fully passed before the summer recess.”
Mark Lawler, Associate Director of Postgraduate Studies, Chair in Translational Cancer Genomics, and Professor of Digital Health at Queen’s University Belfast, shared Simon Harris’s post, adding:
“Delighted that Simon Harris is keeping the foot on the pedal and driving the Right To Be Forgotten so that it will be adopted into Irish Law ASAP.
For me personally and professionally this has been a labour of love, and the most significant achievement of my professional career. Generating the evidence and presenting to the politicians and policy makers has been crucial in the Government making the decision to go for the more advantageous 5 year option, which will increase the number of cancer survivors who will benefit from this legislation.
And its been an absolute privilege to work with Steve Dempsey and colleagues at the Irish Cancer Society who have led this initiative and the many patient advocates on the island of Ireland and also with my wonderful colleague Françoise Meunier in Europe I still cant quite believe that its going to happen! Its been a 5 year struggle but we’ve finally made it!
Next on the agenda Cancer Focus Northern Ireland and the UK Maggies.”
Other articles featuring Mark Lawler on OncoDaily.