Taoiseach’s aide-de-camp duties
Mitchell asked about the aide-de-camp’s public duties and the cost of accompanying the Taoiseach to events. The Taoiseach described the role as ceremonial, dismissed the cost question as specious, and defended a naval officer’s presence at a boat launch.
asked the Taoiseach the protocol for attendance in public on the Taoiseach by his aide-de-camp.
Comment on this
The duties of the aide-de-camp to the Taoiseach by long practice and precedent are to attend with him, when required, at certain formal functions and to represent him on ceremonial and other occasions, such as funeral ceremonies, when it is not possible for the Taoiseach to be present personally.
Comment on this
Will the Taoiseach tell the House if in recent times the aide-de-camp is being used not just for ceremonial and formal occasions but for every fair and crossroads occasion in the country? Will the Taoiseach tell the House what this has cost the State?
Comment on this
The last time this sort of specious question was asked was in 1960, and I hope it will be the year 2000 before it is asked again.
Comment on this
I notice the Taoiseach does not like answering questions in the House but will he agree that he is in danger of being seen as the head of Government of some banana Republic the way he traipses around with his aide-de-camp after him? The Taoiseach has him at every crossroads and brings him to the launching of boats and everything.
Comment on this
It is not entirely inappropriate to bring a naval officer to the launching of a boat.