Dublin Chamber is delighted to welcome you to the next event in our Meet the Minister Series for 2026 on Wednesday, 18th of November. For this event, we will be joined by James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
Minister Lawless will give an overview of the main priorities and challenges he is dealing with in his portfolio at present and how these policies will affect businesses. He will also discuss AI Ready, the Government’s AI skilling platform, and the National Training Fund, followed by an audience Q&A session.
Book your spot now and be sure to have your questions ready.
James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science:
James Lawless is Ireland’s Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, appointed on 23 January 2025.
Prior to this, he served as Minister of State at both the Department of Transport and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
James was elected to Dáil Éireann to represent Kildare North in 2016 and again in 2020. Before entering national politics, he served on Kildare County Council and was elected Mayor of Naas, the county town, in 2015.
He holds a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from Trinity College Dublin and studied Law at the King’s Inns, qualifying as a Barrister. He practiced with general civil practice with a specialisation in maritime and freight law.
James first became involved in politics through grassroots activism, advocating for improved commuter services and better amenities for growing communities.
Before his appointment as Minister, James established himself as a leading voice on Technology and Digital Policy in the Irish Parliament. He introduced pioneering legislation on Social Media Regulation and Cyber Harms. From 2016 to 2020, he served as opposition spokesperson on Science and Technology, and from 2020 to 2024, he chaired the Justice Committee.