Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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481. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way in which the aide de camp (details supplied) for the Tánaiste can be justified; and the amount this will cost. [14985/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Tánaiste is a constitutional appointment, and is required to act in the place of the Taoiseach during his or her temporary absence.

Under the Partnership Government, there is a plan in place to facilitate a rotating Taoiseach. The current Tánaiste will become Taoiseach and vice versa. Furthermore, the Taoiseach and Tánaiste will both be conducting a number of public roles including State occasions.

Consequently, both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste will retain an Aide de Camp (ADC) in order to fulfil the greater level of representation at public functions and other duties.

The aide-de-camp will be a serving officer of the Permanent Defence Force and will hold the rank of Captain. The appointment will be made from within the existing establishment for Officers of that rank and will incur no extra cost.

The proposed tenure of this position will be for the duration of this Government.