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James Lawless
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James Lawless (born 19 August 1976[citation needed]) is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who has served as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science since January 2025. He served as a Minister of State from 2024 to 2025. He has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for Kildare North since the 2016 general election.[1]
Key Information
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Early life
[edit]Lawless is originally from Wexford.[2] He earned a degree in mathematics from Trinity College Dublin in 2000.[3] This was followed by a masters in high performance computing, also from Trinity College Dublin. He worked as a systems analyst in his early career and subsequently qualified as a barrister at the Kings Inns.
Political career
[edit]He had contested the 2009 local elections unsuccessfully, but topped the poll in the 2014 local elections with 2,123 votes, becoming a member of Kildare County Council from 2014 to 2016.[4][5] While a member of Kildare County Council, he served as Mayor of Naas.
He was elected to the Dáil in the 2016 Irish general election for Kildare North.[1] In May 2016, he was appointed by the party leader Micheál Martin as Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Science, Technology, Research and Development. He was a member of the Energy and Communications Oireachtas Committee, and in February 2017, he was elected as Vice-Chair of that Committee. In February 2018, he was appointed a member of the Business, Enterprise and Innovation Oireachtas committee. He proposed a bills to regulate online political advertising and the use of drones.[6][7]
He was re-elected to the Dáil in 2020 and was subsequently appointed Chair of the Committee on Justice in September 2020.[8][9]
In 27 June 2024, he was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Transport with responsibility for International and Road Transport and Logistics; and also as Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications with responsibility for Postal Policy.[8][10]
Following the 2024 general election 23 January 2025, Lawless was appointed as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in the government led by Micheál Martin.[8][11]
Political views
[edit]Drug policy
[edit]In a 2025 interview, Lawless stated that he supports a health-led approach to drug policy, advocating for the decriminalisation of cannabis as a first step. He argues that prohibition leads to uncertainty about drug potency and composition, making consumption more dangerous. He believes cannabis should be regulated like alcohol and tobacco, with clear labelling and potency warnings, and sees merit in the Portuguese model. While he acknowledges that full legalisation is likely in the future, he stresses the need for a coordinated European approach to avoid Ireland becoming a destination for drug tourism.[12]
On harder drugs, Lawless distinguishes between naturally occurring substances (such as peyote and psilocybin mushrooms) which have historical cultural use, and synthetic drugs like crystal meth and ecstasy. He is open to discussing decriminalisation for the former but strongly opposes legalising synthetic drugs, viewing them as highly potent and toxic.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "James Lawless". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 8 November 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ Loughlin, Elaine (24 March 2016). "Lawless runs in to Dáil after years of commuting". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ Sherlock, D.J.M. (2006). Trinity College Record Volume 2006. Dublin: Trinity College Dublin Press. ISBN 1-871408-07-5.
- ^ "James Lawless". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- ^ "Election 2016: James Lawless". RTÉ. 28 February 2016. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
- ^ "New bill will help make political advertising on social media more transparent - Fianna Fail". Irish Examiner. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ O'Meara, Paul (10 January 2019). "TD James Lawless wants all drones to be registered". Paul O'Meara. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "James Lawless TD". Fianna Fáil. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ "FF's Lawless to chair justice committee". Law Gazette. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ Hurley, Sandra (27 June 2024). "Dara Calleary named as junior minister attending Cabinet". RTÉ News.
- ^ Ó Cionnaith, Fiachra (23 January 2025). "Cabinet list in full with number of promotions, changes". RTÉ News. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
- ^ a b O'Toole, Jason (3 April 2025). "Minister James Lawless: "How do we have two different rules for alcohol and marijuana?"". Hot Press. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
