Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

I thank all Members who contributed to this important debate on the Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2025. It is fair to say the tone of the discussion, by and large, has been thoughtful, constructive and, above all, compassionate, reflecting the seriousness and humanity of the issue at stake. This Bill is not just about insurance regulation but fairness, restoring dignity and ensuring those who have survived cancer are treated with justice not judgment.

I acknowledge the contributions from across the political spectrum. As previous speakers have said, we are coming to the end of the Dáil term. Usually, on Thursday evenings, it is harder to get contributors to debates regardless of how serious or important the matter is. I thank those who have given up their time this evening. It is fair to say there has been a clear and shared recognition that cancer survivors deserve better and their past illnesses should not be a barrier to home ownership.

Some of the contributions strayed much wider and further than what the Bill intends to do. All I can say to those who made other suggestions relevant to other Departments - this is a Department of Finance Bill - is we will pass on their suggestions to the relevant Minister or Minister of State in the Department of Health. I appreciate that any Deputy will take the opportunity to raise points relevant to supporting people undergoing treatment for cancer. I take those points in the spirit in which they were given and will certainly refer them to the relevant Minister to see what can be done.

We are not legislating in the abstract here; we are responding to very real barriers faced by our fellow citizens. I thank Deputy Ardagh, who has a long-standing commitment to this issue and has brought us to where we are today. Her work in raising this, both in the Seanad in the previous term and in the Dáil, in partnership with the Irish Cancer Society and its CEO, the former Senator Averil Power, laid the foundation for what is very much a priority of mine now. This is also a priority Bill for the Government. It is right that Deputy Ardagh's determination is reflected in the progress made today.

Several important points were raised during this debate. Some Members asked whether we were going far enough, while others questioned whether we should move faster or broaden the scope of the protections. These are fair questions and I assure Members they will be taken seriously as we move to Committee Stage. I stress that our approach from the outset has been guided by a careful, evidence-based and legally sound pathway. We have deliberately chosen to start with mortgage protection insurance because it is where the problem is most acute and the benefits of reform will be felt most directly.

The risk, if we broaden the scope too far too quickly, is that we may end up unintentionally driving up premiums for everybody else. We have to take a step-by-step approach, which allows us to deliver the protections now without compromising legal certainty or operational viability.

We heard concerns of enforcement. I reiterate the Government will bring forward amendments on Committee Stage to strengthen enforcement by designating the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman as the appropriate body to handle complaints. This will ensure cancer survivors have a clear and trusted avenue for redress, while hoping they will never have to go down that route. Deputy Collins gave an example of a cancer survivor who, thanks to the Deputy's advocacy in this House, had a matter resolved on the floor of the Dáil. Had it not been resolved here, I reiterate that where any health insurance company fails to offer compensation or payout based on the terms and conditions of the policy, it is open to the policyholder to refer a complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman.

We will clarify definitions, remission periods and coverage thresholds, all of which are essential to making this law effective in practice and fair application. It is unfair to say, however, that we are not going far enough in some instances because many countries have not introduced this measure. Even those that have introduced it recent years, such as Italy, the period to be in remission is ten years. In Portugal, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, the period is also set at ten years. The only two countries that have introduced this with a shorter period than we have provided are France and Belgium. France introduced this initially with a period of ten years before graduated the period down to eight years and then five years. As I said in my opening contribution, we have looked at international best practice and we did not just pluck figures from the sky. There is reason and rationale for the timeframes we have proposed but we are open to suggestions that may come forward on Committee Stage and we will give them due consideration.

Following the conclusion of Second Stage today, the Bill will proceed to Committee Stage. This will be a critical phase in which the amendments signalled in my opening remarks and raised in today's debate will be formally tabled and debated. The Department of Finance, working closely with the Attorney General's office, is finalising the drafting of these amendments to ensure they are legally robust, aligned with the EU Solvency II rules and operationally sound for insurers and regulators alike. We will also continue to engage with stakeholders, including patient groups and industry representatives, to ensure the Bill strikes the right balance, delivering real protections for survivors while maintaining the integrity of the insurance framework.

Subject to the outcome of Committee and Report Stages, it remains the Government's intention to enact this legislation as quickly as possible. Ultimately, this Bill is a statement of the kind of society we want to be - one that does not define people by their illness, which recognises recovery, resilience and the right to rebuild one's life and which does not let bureaucratic or financial barriers stand in the way of something as fundamental as securing a home. By progressing this legislation, we are not only fulfilling a programme for Government commitment but also honouring the experiences of those who have overcome enormous personal challenge. Let us move forward together with purpose and compassion and hopefully bring this Bill to completion before the end of the year.

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