Irish Examiner View: Pastures new, but same grass for Tony Holohan

For many, this latest episode again demonstrates the disconnect between those in the corridors of power and everyday citizens who are struggling to make ends meet.

Outgoing Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan will retain his annual salary of €187,000 while on secondment at Trinity College. Picture: Gareth Chaney /Collins Photos

There is something incongruous about Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s warnings of economic uncertainty for the rest of the year and news that the chief medical officer is to take up a new role in Trinity College, retaining his current annual salary of €187,000 while the Department of Health hires a replacement.

Tony Holohan is not, as first reported, leaving the department but will in fact be on secondment to take up the new role of professor of public health strategy and leadership at Trinity College. However, we are told he will not be returning to the role of CMO.