Don't waste a good crisis

Peter Finnegan

Independent Candidate for Change on NUI Panel for Seanad Eireann

 Press Release

Call for Universal Income Piloting

 Kildare, 22 March 2020 Seanad Eireann candidate Peter Finnegan is calling on the government to pilot the idea of a Universal Income when they extend financial support to support workers who have lost their jobs because of the Covid-19 Crisis.

Peter Finnegan, Seanad NUI panel candidate said, “we need as a Society to begin rethinking hwo we can structure our economy and society differently post this crisis. The Crisis has demonstrated how fragile our current wage/income/tax system is and how vulnerable people and Governments become when faced with a crisis of global impact. The immediate need is to ensure that people have the income they need to survive and meet bills. The immediate need is to do this in a way that keeps them connected with their employers and their business. Government is moving now to put more realistic funding into meeting that need.”

“ But we can also use the method by which this is done to pilot new ways of structuring wages and taxes , and indeed work itself when we rebuild post crisis. When a house is damaged by storms and requires major rebuilding , the wise will think of how the build can be an opportunity to build a better house, more sustainable and able to withstand the next storm. “

“ Since the early 1990s there have been calls to develop a Universal Income or Social Wage as a baseline for all citizens. With the State now taking greater responsibility for ensuring all citizens in this crisis have a basic income, it provides an opportunity to explore how the Universal Income might evolve.”

“Technology and the global supply chain are transforming jobs and changing workplaces. The objective of every society should be not just to increase the GNP and boost national wealth , but to secure the happiness and fulfilment of all its people. Our understanding of wealth creation , of the idea of wealth itself , and the need to address issues of sustainability and the care of the Planet, will change as technology changes the idea of mass production, of logistics and of retail. 3D printers will enable customised production on when items are needed. “

“Churchill’s quotes are popular in this crisis, and he said ‘never let a good crisis go to waste’. We don’t choose a crisis like this but such a crisis requires us to change the patterns of behaviour and the ideas we take for granted. Ireland can be ahead of the world by imaging how health care, jobs, business, education , and housing can be rethought and redesigned post Coronavirus. An online

‘Reconstruction and Change Ideas Bank’ could harvest ideas from citizens on what those changes might be. It would also provide us with a creative focus during the restricted movement and living necessary to defeat the Virus. Lets start with piloting a Universal Income.”

Peter Finnegan is an Independent for Change Candidate in the NUI Panel for Seanad Eireann. A former Director of Economic Development & International Relations with Dublin City Council, Peter has also worked with FAS on Employment Programmes and Social Inclusion.

 ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Peter Finnegan on 086 23414942108