James Lawless
IrelandpoliticianMale7.0Global Dominance: 0.00%James Lawless is an Irish politician who serves as the Minister for Higher Education. He is a member of the Fianna Fáil party and has been active in Irish politics for several years, focusing on education, research, and higher learning policies. Recently, he was in the news regarding Ireland's application to become an associate member of CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, which is a significant step for Ireland in the field of particle physics and technological development.
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James Lawless is the Minister for Further and Higher Education who raised concerns about fee increases at Dublin City University.
Majority of Irish universities hike on-campus accommodation costs for new academic year – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-08-12
The reforms reflect the Government’s commitment, led by Minister James Lawless in this area, to enhancing quality, strengthening learner protections and maintaining Ireland’s international reputation as a destination for high-quality education.
Language schools face sanctions after inquiry into alleged failure to return student fees – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-07-18
Minister for Higher Education James Lawless is believed to have told DPER that reforms under way would not guarantee delivery of the department’s €53 million expenditure levy for this year’s budget.
Pressure over Government spending cuts likely to fuel tensions at Cabinet – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-07-18
Minister of state James Lawless approved the NDVF Bill for the abolition of the requirement to display a motor tax disc.
Minister faces criticism after ‘crucial’ road safety Bill delayed until Dáil returns – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-07-17
Minister for Higher Education James Lawless said the Government takes the issue 'extremely seriously'.
Ireland should not be ‘pushed’ by EU on future of Aughinish Alumina plant, Limerick mayor says – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-07-12
Minister for Higher Education James Lawless is expected to update the Government on the conclusion of the Public Service Apprenticeship Plan (2023–2025).
Civil servants will be permitted to take risks to speed up delivery of homes – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-07-07
James Lawless sent best wishes to his great-aunt Alice on her 100th birthday.
Where’s the Brazilian beef? Senators roast Ciaran Mullooly over school lunch claims – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-05-30
James Lawless is the minister for Education who acknowledged that Ireland’s future housing supply is influenced by international markets.
If 36,000 new houses were built last year, why were only 58 sold to buyers in Dublin? – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-02-21
Minister for Higher and Further Education James Lawless will update Ministers on the national programme for students with intellectual disabilities.
New digital and AI strategy to confirm plans for under-16s social media ban – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-02-18
Minister for Higher Education James Lawless said a new accreditation scheme for English-language schools would involve inspections and immigration spot checks.
State plans crackdown on English-language schools acting as ‘back door’ to work permits – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-02-16Minister for Higher Education James Lawless stated that increasing the number of places available on therapy training programmes is a priority.
Sharp rise in children waiting a year for critical services – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-02-09
James Lawless was a minister of state and Blaney's former boss.
former government advisers and what they did next – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-02-07
Fianna Fáil’s James Lawless said housing 'is about international markets' in a recent interview.
Across the EU, housing is more about spreadsheets than homes. That has to change – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-01-14
James Lawless provided funding for additional places in higher education.
Six take-aways from this year’s listings – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-01-14James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, said: 'Since 2022, more than 1,300 additional training places have been delivered across priority health and social care disciplines.'
‘Acute shortage’ of care workers amid ageing demographics, official analysis finds – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-12-23
Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless also voted in favour of restoring the legislation.
Dáil votes by narrow margin not to restore abortion Bill that ends three-day wait for termination – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-12-18
Minister for Higher and Further Education James Lawless has commented on the review of Fianna Fáil’s presidential campaign.
Fianna Fáil’s presidential election campaign an ‘unedifying spectacle’, says Minister – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-12-07
Minister James Lawless will brief Cabinet on plans to spend €4.55 billion in tertiary education and research.
Large extensions to critical infrastructure ‘should be exempted from seeking planning’ – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-12-02
Minister for Higher Education James Lawless said he wants to maintain Ireland’s status as a high-quality destination for students.
Government to examine reducing number of visas granted to English language school students – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-29
Mr O’Callaghan had discussed the issue with Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless in terms of 'trying to reduce immigration or slow down the population growth'.
State must keep trying to cut numbers applying for international protection, says Minister – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-24
James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, welcomed the announcement as a 'landmark initiative with the potential to strengthen and advance higher education across the island'.
Dundalk IT to get university college status after agreeing merger with Queen’s of Belfast – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-19
Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless reported that there were just 157 apprentice chefs in the system at the time.
Cost of training chefs contributing to skills shortages in restaurant kitchens – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-11
James Lawless asked the Attorney General to consider if there may have been a criminal case to answer regarding exam paper sales.
Exam papers ‘sold for €50’ to electrical apprentices – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-04James Lawless received media training from Ivan Yates when he was a backbench TD.
Ivan Yates gave media coaching to Taoiseach, Jim Gavin and five other Fianna Fáil ministers – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-03
Minister for Higher Education James Lawless was sceptical about the final figure for the Gavin campaign costs.
How much will Jim Gavin’s failed presidential bid cost Fianna Fáil? – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-14
James Lawless expressed that Jim Gavin was a strong candidate who could build a coalition.
The Jim Gavin fiasco was a long overdue humbling for GAA exceptionalism – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-11
Minister for Higher Education James Lawless indicated in June the temporary fee reduction would not be repeated this year.
Third-level student fees ‘to be cut by €500 permanently in Budget’ – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-06James Lawless questioned what criteria Catherine Connolly would use for her Council of State appointments.
Deep division emerges amongst parties over Connolly’s hiring of convicted woman – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-03
Minister for Higher Education James Lawless has lent his weight to calls to reform the research and development tax credit.
Public-transport fares set to remain at reduced level next year – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-03Minister for Higher Education James Lawless called on Dublin City University to reconsider its service charge hikes.
If James Browne wants to get ‘radical’ about housing, here are five things he must do – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-02