Cavan-Belturbet MD Candidates: Liam van der Spek (Labour)

Liam van der Spek grew up in Cavan Town and attended St. Patrick’s College before graduating with a degree in Computer Science from UCD where he first joined the Labour Party. He is a data engineer for a major non-profit organisation and previously stood for the party in both the 2019 and 2020 Local and General Elections.

How do you unwind?

From playing video games to listening to music, meeting up with my friends for a drink.

Why should people vote for you?

If they want something done about housing, it’s something I'm very passionate about. Young people and families, they aspire to have a house at some stage.

Also, I would be a younger voice on the council, I believe it’s important that all demographics are represented in our democracy.

Also my policies. I try to do what's right. I would like to see our town and village centres prioritised, made more accessible for walking and cycling, and looking at pedestrianising Cavan Town.

What will you do to address housing supply?

As a councillor you have to be realistic about what's possible. But a lot can still be done at local level even though it probably needs a national and European solution as well. The crux of it is supply: we don't build enough of all kinds of housing. We need social, affordable and private housing. We can't be afraid to be responsible for social housing, get through that backlog. That means tackling derelict buildings as well. They're in all our towns and villages across Ireland.

There can be incentives, but it’s important there is a balance and the council uses all the levers it has to make use of that. I don't think we should be afraid of using more pressure mechanisms either, to ensure landowners and owners of vacant land are pushed to do something with them, rather than just encouraged.

Has Ireland taken in enough refugees?

We try to take as much as we can, it’s important that we do. Every country has an obligation, and realistically we're a safer country than a lot of others. We should be thankful for that, and hope none of us become refugees.

The war in Ukraine, Russia's brutal invasion has meant there has been a big spike in recent years, and that has just compounded the pressure on the lack of housing for instance. Without the war and without the severe lack of supply, it wouldn't be as big an issue.

I know all of this is a discussion point at the moment but Ireland has an obligation to take refugees, especially in a time of crisis. We should always do what is right.

What are your main campaigning issues?

It’s hard to pick one, but if I had to pick one I'd like to say housing. It’s something I'm personally very passionate about.

Should the biodiversity/ climate crises be at the very top of the council agenda?

Yes, and maybe at a local level I'd say housing as well, but that's something that should be prioritised, especially in Cavan because the environment is something that makes this county such a nice place to be from, and be around, with lovely unspoilt natural scenery. And from a climate point of view it’s something that needs to be protected. We have to make sure we're building a world for future generations, not just the here and now.

Who in a political sphere has influenced you the most?

People like Noel Browne. I'm not that big on individual heroes. I think a lot of big changes in the world are really a team effort.

But people like Noel Browne saw what could happen, and were brave to maybe speak up for what is right at a time when it was very difficult. I find that very inspiring.