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.

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.

Mr Harris said: “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.”