CervicalCheck Scandal: Chief medical officer defies calls to step down from position

Department of Health chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has ignored calls to resign over the cervical cancer tests scandal by controversially claiming he would not be doing his job if he informed ministers of every health crisis.

Dr Holohan twice rejected calls to step down over his role in the scandal, saying he was prepared to “answer for all of the judgments I have made” and, further, that he has no intention of quitting his post.

During a continuing Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee meeting where cervical cancer victim Vicky Phelan and widower Stephen Teap had called, on Thursday, for 35 officials to be sacked over the scandal, interim HSE director general John Connaghan said he will act on what happened.