In a letter to the editor of the Irish Times (13 February 2026), BII Steering Group member Eileen Boyle argues that a Basic Income for All would be less divisive than Basic Income for the Arts and other sectoral workers.
Sir, – As a founding member of Basic Income Ireland (BII) I would like to point out that we have been advocating for a universal basic income since May 2011.
This was long before the introduction of a pilot scheme for artists or the newfound interest in the concept by farming and fishing organisations. BII produced a policy paper in November 2023, A Model of Basic Income for Ireland. This shows how Ireland could afford to implement a basic income for all right now. Such a scheme would avoid campaigns by sectoral groups to gain benefits for themselves.
Why is the Government not taking this less divisive approach?
Yours, etc,
EILEEN BOYLE,
Dublin 4.
Universal Basic Income is less divisive than Basic Income for the Arts
Published by Basic Income Ireland on
In a letter to the editor of the Irish Times (13 February 2026), BII Steering Group member Eileen Boyle argues that a Basic Income for All would be less divisive than Basic Income for the Arts and other sectoral workers.
Sir, – As a founding member of Basic Income Ireland (BII) I would like to point out that we have been advocating for a universal basic income since May 2011.
This was long before the introduction of a pilot scheme for artists or the newfound interest in the concept by farming and fishing organisations. BII produced a policy paper in November 2023, A Model of Basic Income for Ireland. This shows how Ireland could afford to implement a basic income for all right now. Such a scheme would avoid campaigns by sectoral groups to gain benefits for themselves.
Why is the Government not taking this less divisive approach?
Yours, etc,
EILEEN BOYLE,
Dublin 4.
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