Professor Breda Smyth named as interim CMO replacing Dr Tony Holohan

Professor Breda Smyth, Director of Public Health, HSE West. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos Dublin

Professor Breda Smyth has been confirmed as the interim Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health, Stephen Donnelly has announced.

The Health Minister said Prof Smyth will take up the role from July 4, pending the completion of the competition to fill the role on a permanent basis.

Dr Tony Holohan is stepping down from the position after 14 years on July 1. 

Prof Smyth is currently Professor for Public Health Medicine in NUI Galway and a Consultant in Public Health in HSE West. She has specialised in public health for the last 16 years. 

Prof Smyth contributed significantly to the country's Covid-19 response having been a member of the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) and the Rapid Testing Expert Advisory Group. She was also a founding member of the Irish Epidemiology Modelling Advisory Group (IEMAG).

Prof Smyth says she is "excited" to begin her new role to "build on the considerable work done, both before and during Covid-19, to promote and protect public health".

She stated: “The pandemic has placed a spotlight on public health, and I look forward to the opportunity to advance the public health agenda through important, cross-government initiatives like Healthy Ireland and Sláintecare to improve the health and wellbeing of the entire population including marginalised groups and continuing to address inequities in health." 

Prof Smyth is being seconded to the Department on a short-term basis.

Speaking on the announcement, Mr Donnelly said while the open competition for the permanent filling of the CMO role has commenced, he is conscious of the need to have in place "the required leadership at all times to continue to monitor and combat Covid-19 and other public health threats."

“Prof Smyth brings this considerable experience, excellent leadership ability and extensive public health skillset to the role and I very much look forward to working with her," he said.

Dr Holohan announced in March that he planned to step down and at the time he praised the work of his colleagues and said it was a great privilege to serve as CMO.

Dr Holohan became the face of public health in Ireland when Covid hit, providing daily televised updates.

An open competition for the permanent position of CMO has been advertised on www.publicjobs.ie.