Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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94. To ask the Taoiseach the reasons for his decision to appoint two joint chiefs of staff to his office; the reason one chief of staff was not sufficient; and how decisions will be made on a day-to-day basis. [17234/24]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In appointing my Team, I take a number of issues into consideration, including the key priorities to be delivered on in terms of the Programme for Government; engagement with coalition colleagues; the significant workload associated with the Office of the Taoiseach; the range of skills and advisory supports available to me to assist me in my role as Taoiseach; and the importance of promoting gender balance and strong female leadership.

In opting to have two joint Chiefs of Staff (as opposed to having a Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff), I am ensuring that my senior leadership team are able to engage substantively and with authority on priority issues, and I believe that this will lead to effective and timely decisions being made in support of the implementation of the Programme for Government.

The joint Chiefs of Staff arrangement also results in a lower salary cost to the Department of the Taoiseach.