The Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan has decided not to go ahead with his secondment job at Trinity College Dublin.
In a statement, he says he intends to retire as CMO with effect from the 1st of July.
This is to allow the Department of Health enough time to advance the process of appointing his successor.
He won't be proceeding with the Professor of Public Health Leadership anad Strategy role at Trinity and says he doesn't wish to see the controversy of the last few days continue.
Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien says the secondment process wasn't handled well:
"The CMO has done an incredible job for the country."
"I think the really poor way the secondment was handled really does Mr. Holohan a disservice."
"The Taoiseach was right to pause it - people are right to call for transparency."
"Secondment happens within the public and civil service, that happens within my own department."
"That's needed sometimes."
"The experience he has would have, in my view, been incredibly valuable."
Provost, Dr Linda Doyle, said:
"This is a huge loss for Ireland's education sector, and for all the students who would have learned so much from Dr. Holohan's experience." https://t.co/ZHL73AXTI5— Trinity College Dublin (@tcddublin) April 9, 2022
Trinity Reaction
Meanwhile, the Provost of Trinity College Dublin, Dr Linda Doyle, has expressed disappointment at Dr Holohan's announcement.
In a statement, Dr Doyle says this is a huge loss for Ireland's education sector, and for all the students who would have learned so much from Dr. Holohan's experience.