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Meet Liam

I’m Liam Quaide, the Social Democrats TD for Cork East. I previously was a Councillor with the East Cork Municipal District since 2019.

I am also a clinical psychologist and have worked for many years with Community Adult Mental Health teams, and more recently in hospital outpatient services. After becoming a parent I was drawn to politics by the urgency of the climate crisis, and I strongly believe that environmental action and social justice need to go hand in hand.

Since becoming a Councillor, I led a successful campaign to restore community residential services for people with severe and enduring mental health difficulties. This has resulted in a multi-million Euro commitment by the HSE in East Cork, which will allow people with the highest level of need to live in their community.

I have campaigned for stronger measures to address vacancy and dereliction, higher quality public transport and greater protection for trees and hedgerows. I believe that disability services for young people and adults are in need of major investment and reform.

Prior to entering politics, my values and priorities were reinforced by voluntary work with Amnesty Ireland and the Samaritans.

Politics for me is about giving a voice and giving power to people in our society who feel left behind or disregarded. It is about protecting nature, and strengthening our communities and our economy.

Liam’s Priorities

  • Affordable housing and stronger tenancy rights.
  • High quality, accessible and accountable mental health and disability services.
  • Climate action that enriches farming, improves air quality and increases our energy security.
  • Protection of nature through stronger legislation and incentives.
  • Sustainable community development.
  • Comprehensive and co-ordinated flood management.
  • Much improved public transport.
  • Effective speed measures for our towns and villages.

Latest News

Government must not be allowed to strip Mental Health Bill of human rights safeguards

Last-minute government amendments have resulted in a Mental Health Bill that now lacks crucial human rights safeguards in favour of a retrograde model of service provision for people with acute mental health difficulties, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health and disability, said: “Some government […]

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Workers with Long Covid should be granted long-term financial security by government

The Labour Court decision to extend a payment for healthcare workers with debilitating Long Covid until December 2025 is a welcome one, but more must be done, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide, a former clinical psychologist with Long Covid services. Deputy Quaide said: “The government must recognise Long Covid as an occupational illness […]

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HSE spend on costly agency staff reflects deep failures in workforce planning

The costly employment of agency staff across the health system, including in mental health services, reflects a deep failure in workforce planning by successive governments, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health and disability, said: “Figures released to me by the HSE showed that the […]

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