Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)

On behalf of the Social Democrats, I welcome and support this Bill. I commend Deputy Ardagh for all her work on this over the years. I commend the Minister of State and the Department for running with it. I particularly acknowledge all of the work done by the Irish Cancer Society and its patient advocates over the years in campaigning for this. Indeed, they have not just campaigned for this important measure but there is all the work they are doing. It is incredible to see people who are battling cancer also taking the time to fight for better conditions for themselves and for other people fighting and battling cancer. This is long overdue legislation. People who have beaten cancer should never be discriminated against. I agree with the comments made earlier about the five year threshold. That needs to be looked at because it is quite long, especially when you consider what people have already gone through. They have gone through the fight and often a prolonged period with a loss of income. Having come through all of that, to have to wait another five years is a long time in terms of not facing these measures. That is why the intent of the Bill is very welcome and I strongly support it.

The other point I make is that the Irish Cancer Society plays an absolutely critical role in the supports it gives and the gaps it fills. We have come a long way as a country in better treatments and better outcomes for people fighting cancer, but there are significant gaps in support that the Irish Cancer Society fills, and without which individuals and families supporting them would be in an even more difficult place. It is important to acknowledge that but to also say, as legislators, in addition to this Bill we have more to do to support people fighting cancer. Too much of that is being left on the shoulders of the Irish Cancer Society. It does a very good role, but I know, without the additional supports it gives, people would be in an even more difficult situation. When someone is battling cancer, they should not be worrying about the practicalities and finances and they should not have all the additional stress from that, but they do. Because of the work of volunteers in the Irish Cancer Society some of that gap is filled, but it should not just be left on them.

Only one in four cancer survivors felt they were treated fairly when it came to buying financial products, according to research the Irish Cancer Society undertook. That underlines the importance of this Bill. Once again, I commend Deputy Ardagh and the Minister of State for running with this. I acknowledge that. It is good that there are times we can all work together in this House. It is good that this is one of these times.

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