Dominic McGrath, PA
Deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn, one of the health officials who steered the country through the Covid-19 pandemic, has resigned.
He is the latest health official to leave his role, as the State emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Glynn follows in the footsteps of outgoing chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan, who has already confirmed he will leave his role at the Department of Health.
Professor Philip Nolan, who chaired the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group as part of the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet), was announced as the new director general of Science Foundation Ireland last October.
A spokesperson for the department said: “Dr Ronan Glynn has resigned as deputy chief medical officer, effective May 31st 2022.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin wished Dr Glynn "all the best" as he prepares to step down. He also thanked Dr Glynn for "his outstanding service to the Irish people".
"I worked very well with Ronan throughout the pandemic, and his unstinting, dedicated and tireless work in fighting Covid-19 was so important to the health and wellbeing of the nation.
"Ronan’s calm demeanour and knowledge of public health played a significant role in our national effort throughout the pandemic.
"I thank him for taking up the role of acting chief medical officer, as well as his contribution to the National Public Health Emergency.
"Ronan personifies the very the best of Irish public service, and I wish him well in the future."
Wish you all the best @ronan_glynn as you get ready to step down as Deputy CMO.
Thank you for your unstinting, dedicated and tireless work throughout the pandemic.
Your calm demeanour and knowledge so important to the Irish people during our national fight against Covid-19— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) May 10, 2022
Dr Glynn, who took up the role of deputy chief medical officer in 2018, became one of the most familiar figures on the airwaves during the pandemic.
He also filled in as acting chief medical officer during the pandemic for several months while Dr Holohan was temporarily absent.
He holds degrees from University College Dublin, the University of Aberdeen and NUI Galway, as well as being a member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland.
The exit of Dr Holohan from the chief medical officer role was overshadowed by the controversy over his planned secondment to a professor role in Trinity College Dublin.
Dr Holohan decided against taking up the proposed role after a dispute over the transparency of the process that would have seen the State pay his annual salary of €187,000 through competitive research funding, administered by the Health Research Board.
The row prompted criticism of Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, as well as Secretary General in the Department of Health, Robert Watt.
The Department of Health has not confirmed whether Dr Glynn will remain in the public sector.
