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The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) (Irish: An Príomh-Oifigeach Míochaine) for Ireland is the most senior government advisor on health-related matters. It is a government post as the lead medical expert in the Department of Health.

The key responsibilities of the CMO include providing expert medical evidence, especially in public health matters, as well as leading on patient safety issues, emergency planning and other areas.^[1]

History

The Government of Ireland appointed Dr James Deeny as its first Chief Medical Adviser in 1944. He was succeeded by Dr Charlie Lysaght who changed the name of the role to its current title of Chief Medical Officer.^[2]

List of office-holders

Chief Medical Adviser

Dr James Deeny, 1944–1962
Dr Charlie Lysaght, 1962–1965

Chief Medical Officer

Dr Jim Kiely, 1997–2008
Dr Tony Holohan, 2008–2022^[3]
Dr Ronan Glynn (acting),^[4]^[5] July–October 2020^[6]
Professor Breda Smyth, November 2022–May 2024^[7]

Deputy Chief Medical Officer

Dr James Walsh, ?–1988^[8]
Dr Tony Holohan, 2001–2008
Dr Philip Crowley,^[9] 2008–2018
Dr Ronan Glynn, 2018–2022

References

^ "Department of Health and Children appoints new Chief Medical Officer". Department of Health. 5 December 2008. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
^ "Ladies and Gentlemen – please give a hand for your Chief Medical Officer". Irish Medical Times. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
^ Finn, Christina (1 July 2022). "Dr Tony Holohan to step down as CMO today after 14 years". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
^ "Holohan 'taking time out' from role over wife's illness". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
^ Daly, Adam (2 July 2020). "Dr Tony Holohan to step away from work as Chief Medical Officer for family reasons". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
^ Bowers, Fergal (1 October 2020). "Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan to return to work on Monday". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
^ Donnelly, Stephen (5 October 2022). "Minister Donnelly announces the appointment of Professor Breda Smyth as Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health". Department of Health. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
^ "Public-health doctor who devised State's policy to combat Aids". The Irish Times. 21 July 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
^ "Joint Committee On Agriculture, Fisheries And Food Debate - Thursday, 15 Jan 2009". Oireachtas. 15 January 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2020.

External links

Department of Health, Ireland

[1] "Department of Health and Children appoints new Chief Medical Officer". Department of Health. 5 December 2008. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2020.

[2] "Ladies and Gentlemen – please give a hand for your Chief Medical Officer". Irish Medical Times. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2021.

[3] Finn, Christina (1 July 2022). "Dr Tony Holohan to step down as CMO today after 14 years". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 1 July 2022.

[4] "Holohan 'taking time out' from role over wife's illness". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.

[5] Daly, Adam (2 July 2020). "Dr Tony Holohan to step away from work as Chief Medical Officer for family reasons". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 2 July 2020.

[6] Bowers, Fergal (1 October 2020). "Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan to return to work on Monday". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. Retrieved 1 October 2020.

[7] Donnelly, Stephen (5 October 2022). "Minister Donnelly announces the appointment of Professor Breda Smyth as Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health". Department of Health. Retrieved 5 October 2022.

[8] "Public-health doctor who devised State's policy to combat Aids". The Irish Times. 21 July 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2021.

[9] "Joint Committee On Agriculture, Fisheries And Food Debate - Thursday, 15 Jan 2009". Oireachtas. 15 January 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2020.

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