Fianna Fáil TD James Lawless (pictured) has been named as chair of the Oireachtas Justice and Equality Committee. He will be proposed for the post when the Dáil meets next Tuesday.

Deputy Lawless, a qualified barrister, is a TD for Kildare North and was first elected in 2016.

Civil liberties and health

The committee shadows the Department of Justice and Equality and looks at policy in the fields of justice, security, the rule of law and equality.

“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,” Deputy Lawless said.

“An increasing focus on data protection and cyber-security will also form an important part of the landscape ahead,” he said.

PAC first for SF

17 others committee chairs will be put forward, according to the Irish Times, including former justice minister Charlie Flanagan, who is to be chair of the foreign affairs committee.

Former public accounts committee chair (PAC) and Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness is set to continue as chair of the finance committee.

Sinn Féin’s Brian Stanley had already been named as the party’s first chair of the PAC, which oversees public spending.