Government was 'blindsided' by Tony Holohan secondment

Micheál Martin said he retains confidence in Secretary-General at the Department of Health Robert Watt, despite his failure to tell his political masters of the plan to second the outgoing Chief Medical Officer to Trinity College Dublin

The Taoiseach described the episode as “deeply regrettable” and that it “could have been handled better. File picture: RollingNews.ie

The Government was “blindsided” by the now now abandoned Tony Holohan secondment and the man responsible for it is likely to escape any sanction, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said.

Speaking to reporters at Arbour Hill, Mr Martin said he retains confidence in Secretary-General at the Department of Health Robert Watt, despite his failure to tell his political masters of the plan to second the outgoing Chief Medical Officer to Trinity College Dublin.