Lawless is a TD for Kildare North and is Minister of State with responsibility for road transport. A member of Kildare County Council between 2014 and 2016, he has also been the party spokesperson for science and technology. He previously worked in IT and as a barrister.

I believe in public service and I am devoted to giving the people of Kildare North the representation they deserve at the highest levels of government if I am re-elected. Having recently being promoted to the ministerial ranks in the Department of Transport, I was delighted to be assigned the crucial portfolio of Transport and, having only had a short stint in the position, I would relish the opportunity to contribute more fully to this role in the next government. It has been a long time since Kildare North had representation at senior level and I am ambitious for my country and for my constituency.

Spiralling prices are driving the cost of living ever upwards, but this government has helped households address this through funding supports like the rent credit and energy credits, delivering hundreds of euro back into the pockets of ordinary people. Also, public services and the increased provision in the sectors of housing, education, health, transport, sport and others are a crucial role of government and I would push for increased funding for public services if re-elected. We need major infrastructural upgrades across all the above areas too to ensure we meet the needs of a dynamic and growing nation.

The first debates will likely revolve around a programme for government for the term ahead, which I hope to contribute to. I would like to address the Dáil about the progress we have made in the area of public transport, while outlining some of the challenges we still face. I have a solid, strong record in delivering for the people of Kildare in this area and I would use my speaking time in the Dail to fight for even better services for the people of Kildare North and of course to raise the ambitions of the country as a whole.