Carol Nolan-Time to end the heartless discrimination endured by cancer survivors.

Independent TD for Offaly Carol Nolan said she is actively supporting a campaign being spearheaded by East Galway Midlands Cancer Support (EGMCS) regarding the application of Right to be Forgotten legislation to cancer survivors.

Deputy Nolan was speaking after organising a well-attended briefing on the matter for Oireachtas members at Leinster House on Wednesday.

The briefing was addressed by Jacqueline Daly, who along with her husband Michael Daly co-founded the East Galway and Midlands Cancer Support Centre.

A number of impacted cancer survivors also attended. These women spoke of their shock at being told that despite receiving the all-clear from their oncologist they were essentially “uninsurable” according to the criteria applied by insurance companies.

“Unfortunately, cancer survivors in Ireland continue to be discriminated against with respect to access to insurance products and mortgage protection despite being cancer free for a number of years. We need to take active and urgent measures to put an end these practices,” said Deputy Nolan.

“This is why I am supporting EGMCS and its campaign for robust legislative protections in this area that are legally binding and applicable to all person who achieve five years cancer-free status.”

“We were excellently informed by Jacqueline on how several Cancer Support centres and cancer organisations have now joined EGMCS to push for a more equitable model of legislation dealing with this issue, of the kind that already exists in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Portugal.”

“We know this objective also has the support of the Irish Cancer Society who have welcomed all attempts to enshrine protections in relevant legislation which is exactly what I will be trying to achieve.”

“Financial discrimination of cancer survivors must end”, concluded Deputy Nolan.