The Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan is to step down from his role.
He has been appointed as a Professor of Public Health Strategy and Leadership at Trinity College Dublin and will take up the role on July 1st.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin paid tribute to the outgoing CMO, saying his "professionalism, and calm and personable nature" gave us all the assurance they needed during the pandemic.
Dr Holohan, who has been in the role for 14 years, said it was a 'great privilege' to serve in the position, adding that he was very excited by the new opportunity.
In a statement, Dr Holohan said "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."
