James was elected to the Dáil to represent Kildare North in 2016 and 2020 and prior to that was a member of Kildare County Council. In 2014/15 he served as Mayor of Naas.
James studied Maths and Computer Science at Trinity College and Law at Kings Inns where he qualified as a Barrister. His legal specialities are in maritime law and public/constitutional law.
James first got involved in politics as a commuter activist and remains a strong advocate for improving transport links, rail and bus services, better walking and cycling infrastructure including greenways. Within the Dáil he has become a strong voice on Technology and Digital Policy introducing ground-breaking legislation on Social Media Regulation and on Cyber Harms.
He now Chairs the Oireachtas Justice Committee and remains party spokesperson on digital affairs. He is also a member of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee and has a strong interest in national security matters, encompassing cyber, maritime, disinformation and other new threats.
Originally from Wexford, he spent many summers growing up working within the local tourist and hospitality industries. James now lives in Sallins with his wife Ailish, a primary school teacher, and their two daughters. When he gets downtime, he enjoys local park runs, gardening and reading.
