Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I entirely reject the premise of the Deputy's question that we are doing something that is about trying to appease the insurance sector. That is completely wrong. We brought forward a timed amendment to the Bill and we explained why in the Seanad. The first reason was because from the engagement my Department had with those who are involved in this area, in many cases, the presumption of full recovery from cancer means that person, or anybody who has suffered from the condition of cancer, is entitled to the same health evaluation as others are. Second, as was made clear in the Seanad, the European Union is considering some legislative change in this area that will bring certainty and clarity to how this matter is being dealt with. What is not motivating the Government is any intention to appease the insurance sector in any way. I can assure the Deputy of that. What we are looking to do here is treat a sensitive issue fairly and appropriately, and that is what we will do.

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