The first aide-de-camp to the Taoiseach was appointed on 20 March 1936 and the practice has continued since that date. Since 1980, the appointment has been held by an officer of the rank of Commandant (the present ADC is a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy which is the equivalent to Commandant).
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 when it is not possible for the Taoiseach to be present personally.