James Lawless named chair of Oireachtas justice committee

James Lawless

A graduate of the King’s Inns, Mr Lawless is a qualified barrister and has served as the TD for Kildare North since 2016.

Welcoming his appointment, he said the committee would be “central in the process of holding government to account”.

Mr Lawless added: “I have a strong interest and knowledge of the area from my own professional background. Civil liberties and public health will challenge us at times as the government seeks to manage the pandemic and this committee will help manage that balance.

“An increasing focus on data protection and cybersecurity will also form an important part of the landscape ahead. Law reform and reviews of both the criminal and civil justice systems are also key. I look forward to taking on this challenge and helping steer these debates through the coming Dáil term.”