Dr Tony Holohan has announced he will not take up his Trinity role and will retire as CMO from July 1st.
Holohan announced the decision in a surprise statement this afternoon, citing the recent "controversy" as to why he has opted to make his decision.
Dr Holohan said in a statement: " I have decided not to proceed with my secondment as Professor of Public Health Leadership and Strategy, Trinity College Dublin. I intend to retire as CMO with effect from 1 July to allow the Department of Health sufficient time to advance the process of appointing my successor.