Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Tony Holohan, who led the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, is to step down to take up a new role at Trinity College, the Department of Health has confirmed.
Dr Holohan was appointed deputy CMO in 2001 and later became CMO, a position he held for 14 years.
He will remain chief medical officer until July.
Dr Holohan became one of the best known figures in Ireland overnight when the pandemic struck, leading the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) as he guided the Government and the public through the global emergency.
His near nightly attendance at Nphet briefings in the early days of the pandemic made him a constant presence on TV screens as the country locked down, with his likeness even appearing on a mural in Dublin.
While he was widely praised for his work as CMO, there were occasional clashes with politicians and criticism of Nphet reticence on issues like antigen testing.
In a statement, Dr Holohan said that it had been a “privilege” to serve as Chief Medical Officer.
“It has been a great privilege for me to serve as chief medical officer and to have had an opportunity to be directly involved in issues of great importance and relevance to the health of the people of Ireland.
“In particular, these past two years have presented extreme challenges to public health globally, and I have been honoured to work alongside exceptional colleagues in the Department of Health, the HSE, the wider health service and across Government.
“During this time, I have witnessed the dedication of colleagues to protecting the health and wellbeing of people across Ireland.”
'Outstanding and dedicated service'
Commenting on the news, Taoiseach Micheál Martin thanked Dr Holohan for two decades of "outstanding and dedicated service" to the people of Ireland.
"His steadfast assured advice, and willingness to communicate over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic undoubtedly helped saved lives, and kept Ireland safe during an exceptionally challenging two years," Mr Martin said.
Thank you @CMOIreland Tony Holohan for your outstanding service to the Irish people, during the pandemic, and over 21 years in the CMO office.
Your dedication, and steadfast advice was crucial to Ireland’s response, and saved lives.
Every success in your new role at @tcddublin
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 25, 2022
"His work chairing the NPHET, his professionalism, and calm and personable nature gave us all the assurance we needed during the pandemic.
"In parallel, Tony worked consistently to raise and transform the profile and status of public health medicine, and worked hard on creating a professional pathway to consultant status.
"I wish him and his family the very best of luck for the future, and I look forward to engaging with Tony again when he takes up his position as Professor of Public Health Strategy and Leadership at Trinity College Dublin."
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly also praised Dr Tony Holohan’s advice during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Throughout the pandemic his invaluable advice to me, and to the Government has shaped our response to Covid-19, and I witnessed first-hand his unwavering dedication to protecting the health of the people of Ireland.
“He will play a critical role in applying his knowledge and skills to the development of the next generation of thinking and practice in public health, and I wish Tony all the best in this new and exciting chapter in his career.”
Since his appointment as Chief Medical Officer in 2008, Dr Holohan has made a huge and lasting impact on health in Ireland. Throughout the pandemic his advice to Government has shaped our response to Covid and I witnessed first-hand his unwavering dedication.
— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) March 25, 2022
Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris, who was minister for health when the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020, joined the tributes to Dr Tony Holohan.
He tweeted: “I saw first hand your steady leadership, your work ethic, your determination & the personal sacrifices you made.
“You leave health & head to higher education – I can highly recommend it!”
New position
The Provost of Trinity College Dublin, Professor Linda Doyle, said that the university was “excited” to welcome Dr Holohan.
“Trinity is here to make things better and the university has a long tradition of working with health services in this area. Dr Holohan has become a household name for his service to the country over the past two years, but there is plenty that still needs to be done to protect Ireland from future pandemics.
“We’re excited that he will be working with other academic colleagues in Trinity to learn the lessons of Covid and prepare for these future challenges.
“Dr Holohan will not be attached to a single school or discipline within Trinity. Instead, his role will traverse the Faculties of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences and Health Sciences, recognising the complexity and scope of population health challenges in the modern era.”
Sinn Féin health spokesperson David Cullinane also said that he wished Dr Holohan the best in his new role.
He said: “He steered the state through a very difficult time over the last number of years.
“His professionalism and commitment to public health and public service is a credit to him and his family.”
His tenure as chief medical officer was not without controversy and last year he expressed regret about what happened to the women affected by the CervicalCheck controversy, which saw more than 200 women hit by failures in Ireland’s screening system.
