To the Deputy's latter point, I am always open to good suggestions from the Opposition; I am just not sure it always come forward with them. I say that in jest.

Sentiment score: 0.12

In all seriousness, I acknowledge all Members of the Dáil in terms of their co-operation and their positive engagement on this legislation since it was first introduced by my colleague the Minister of State, Deputy Ardagh, when she was a backbench TD. I fully appreciate the amendment is coming from a position of good faith and I am not at all questioning Deputy Nash's bona fides in relation to the reason for advancing it. The Government has considered the proposal to insert a new subsection that would provide a person shall not be regarded as precluded from being in complete remission solely by reason of receiving anti-hormonal medications or preventative therapies or medicine and understands the underlying concern this is aimed at addressing. While the intent of the amendment is acknowledged and understood, the Government does not consider it necessary to include this provision as the legislation provides "complete remission" is determined by an oncologist on request. The five-year threshold only applies to primary treatment such as surgery or chemotherapy, which is considered "active cancer treatment". Anti-hormonal medications or any form of preventative therapy or medicine intended to reduce the risk of reoccurrence of cancer following the end of active cancer treatment are excluded from consideration for the disregard. For example, industry has clarified that an applicant who had surgery for breast cancer five years ago and is certified as being in complete remission by an oncologist but still takes anti-hormonal medication would qualify for the disregard under this legislation. The Bill as amended clearly defines "active cancer treatment" in section 3 and explicitly provides this does not include anti-hormonal medications or any form of preventative therapy or medicine intended to reduce the risk of reoccurrence following the end of active treatment. Individuals who are receiving these therapies or medications are already regarded, for the purpose of this Bill, as having completed active cancer treatment where all other criteria are met. The Bill therefore already accommodates the scenario where an applicant is no longer being treated for cancer and is in remission but may be taking medication or undergoing therapy for preventative reoccurrence. Officials in my Department engaged with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government, representatives of the insurance industry, the Irish Society of Medical Oncology, the Society of Actuaries in Ireland and very importantly, the Irish Cancer Society, which the Deputy has engaged with, on this definition. The result of this consultation is a definition that closely follows that of the voluntary code. Additional consultation with industry has certified that, in practice, insurers do not consider medication to prevent reoccurrence as rendering applicants ineligible. Consequently, I do not propose to accept the amendment despite the Deputy's good intentions.

Sentiment score: -0.07