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 is a qualified barrister and also has degree in mathematics and a masters in high performance computing from Trinity College Dublin.

In May 2016, he was appointed by the party leader Micheál Martin as Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Science, Technology, Research and Development.

On 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.

[4] On 23 January 2025, Lawless was appointed as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in the government led by Micheál Martin, following the 2024 general election.