Dr Ronan Glynn resigns as deputy chief medical officer

Deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn, one of the health officials who steered Ireland through the Covid-19 pandemic, has resigned to work in the private sector.

He follows in the footsteps of outgoing chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan, who has already confirmed that he will also leave his role in the Department of Health this summer.

A Department of Health statement said: “Dr Ronan Glynn has resigned as deputy chief medical officer effective May 31st 2022.”

Dr Glynn, it is understood, is taking up a position with consultants EY in their health division.

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While not unexpected, Dr Glynn’s resignation will leave the department without its two most experienced figures in the fight against Covid-19.

One of the department’s other deputy chief medical officers is expected to be appointed acting CMO to fill the gap between Dr Holohan’s resignation on July 1st and the appointment of a successor.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin wished Dr Glynn “all the best” as he prepares to step down. He also thanked Dr Glynn for “his outstanding service to the Irish people”.

“I worked very well with Ronan throughout the pandemic, and his unstinting, dedicated and tireless work in fighting Covid-19 was so important to the health and wellbeing of the nation.

“Ronan’s calm demeanour and knowledge of public health played a significant role in our national effort throughout the pandemic.

From Co Galway, Dr Glynn qualified as a physiotherapist in UCD in 2002 and then trained as a doctor in Aberdeen, qualifying in 2007. He completed a laboratory based PhD in surgical oncology in 2012 and a masters in public health in 2015.

He has worked in public health and otolaryngology in the HSE, as a project manager in the Health Information and Quality Authority and in cancer research in University Hospital Galway.

Dr Glynn was appointed a deputy chief medical officer at the Department of Health in October 2018. He served as acting CMO for three months in 2020, when Dr Holohan stood aside during his late wife’s illness.

As a prominent member of the National Public Health Emergency Team, Dr Glynn became a familiar face in the media through his appearances at regular Covid-19 press briefings during the pandemic. He is married to RTÉ journalist Carla O’Brien and they have a young family.

Meanwhile, two other senior officials involved in the State’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic are to also leave their roles.

Anne O’Connor, the HSE’s chief operating officer, is to join VHI Health and Wellbeing as managing director, HSE staff were told recently.

Ms O’Connor was one of the most senior executives tasked with planning the HSE’s response to Covid-19.

The chief operations officer of the Department of Health Catherine Bannon has also announced that she is leaving her role, which she has occupied since February 2021. It is understood Ms Bannonis leaving for another position in the civil service.

Several other senior officials who worked on the pandemic response have also quietly moved on in recent weeks. Assistant Secretary Fergal Goodman, who steered policy on mandatory hotel quarantine and vaccinations, is to retire at the end of June after more than 43 years in the civil service, but has finished his duties already and is using unallocated leave.

While Lyndsey Drea, a senior official in the press office, has moved to the Department of Transport.

Miriam Rooney, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly’s private secretary, has moved roles within the department.

Several officials have also arrived into the department in recent months, including some from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, which was previously headed by Secretary General Robert Watt. They include Derek Tierney, Louise McGirr, Siobhan McArdle, Fiona Conroy and David Smith.