First-time Social Democrat TD for Cork East, Liam Quaide said that his focused campaigning to improve disability services was crucial to his electoral success.

The 45-year-old clinical psychologist has been a councillor with the East Cork Municipal District since 2019.

He was a Green Party representative until last year when he switched to the Social Democrats.

He has actively campaigned against the closure of the Owenacurra Centre mental health service in Midleton and helped secure a multi-million euro investment in residential mental health services for the region.

He has also worked with community adult mental health teams and in hospital outpatient services.

He has two children Bláithín, 8, and Rossa, 3, with wife Róisín Cuddihy.

Becoming a parent amidst the urgency of the climate crisis inspired him to enter politics.