Dr Tony Holohan will step down as the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health later this summer stating "it has been a great privilege" to have served in the role.
Dr Holohan is stepping down due to a new appointment as Professor of Public Health Strategy and Leadership at Trinity College Dublin.
He will begin the role on July 1, having served as CMO since the summer of 2008.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has paid tribute to Dr Holohan and said said the CMO's "calm and personable nature gave us all the assurance we needed during the pandemic."
Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, and Professor Linda Doyle, Provost of Trinity College Dublin, confirmed the news on Friday afternoon.
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Minister Donnelly said: "Since his appointment as Chief Medical Officer in December 2008, Dr Holohan has made a significant and lasting impact on health in Ireland.
"Throughout his time as CMO, Tony has used his public health leadership ability, alongside his many other skills and insights, to inform and influence decisions at the highest level in order to protect public health.
“Throughout the pandemic his invaluable advice to me, and to the Government has shaped our response to COVID-19, and I witnessed first-hand his unwavering dedication to protecting the health of the people of Ireland.
"He will play a critical role in applying his knowledge and skills to the development of the next generation of thinking and practice in public health, and I wish Tony all the best in this new and exciting chapter in his career."
Dr Tony Holohan said: "It has been a great privilege for me to serve as Chief Medical Officer and to have had an opportunity to be directly involved in issues of great importance and relevance to the health of the people of Ireland.
"In particular, these past two years have presented extreme challenges to public health globally and I have been honoured to work alongside exceptional colleagues in the Department of Health, the HSE, the wider health service and across Government. During this time, I have witnessed the dedication of colleagues to protecting the health and wellbeing of people across Ireland.
“I am very excited by this new opportunity, and I look forward with energy and enthusiasm to working with the Provost of Trinity College Dublin and her team, and through this to continue to contribute to improving public health policy, practice and outcomes.
“I look forward to using my experience, knowledge and skills to enable Trinity College Dublin to make a leading contribution to strengthening the knowledge and practice of public health leadership in Ireland."
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has paid tribute to Dr Holohan and said said the CMO's "calm and personable nature gave us all the assurance we needed during the pandemic."
He said: "I would like to sincerely thank Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan today as he prepares to step down after more than two decades of outstanding and dedicated service to the people of Ireland in the field of public health.
"His steadfast assured advice, and willingness to communicate over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly helped saved lives, and kept Ireland safe during an exceptionally challenging two years.
"I have known Tony, and had the privilege to work with him, since he was appointed Deputy Chief Medical Officer in 2001, and then during his 14 years as the Chief Medical Officer.
"His work chairing the NPHET, his professionalism, and calm and personable nature gave us all the assurance we needed during the pandemic.
"In parallel, Tony worked consistently to raise and transform the profile and status of public health medicine, and worked hard on creating a professional pathway to consultant status.
"I wish him and his family the very best of luck for the future, and I look forward to engaging with Tony again when he takes up his position as Professor of Public Health Strategy and Leadership at Trinity College Dublin."
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