Chief Medical Officer (Ireland) Explained

Post:	Chief Medical Officer
Body:	Ireland
Incumbent:	Mary Horgan
Incumbentsince:	June 2024
Department:	Department of Health
Abbreviation:	CMO
Reports To:	Minister for Health
Appointer:	Government of Ireland
Formation:	1944
Inaugural:	Dr James Deeny
Deputy:	Vacant

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,^{[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

See also

• Chief Medical Officer (United Kingdom)
• Chief Public Health Officer of Canada
• Medical Officer for Health

References

1. Web site: Department of Health and Children appoints new Chief Medical Officer. Department of Health. 5 December 2008. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121220134826/http://www.dohc.ie/press/releases/2008/20081205b.html. 20 December 2012. 16 June 2020.
2. Web site: Ladies and Gentlemen – please give a hand for your Chief Medical Officer. Irish Medical Times. 7 May 2021. 14 June 2021.
3. News: Dr Tony Holohan to step down as CMO today after 14 years. TheJournal.ie. Christina. Finn. 1 July 2022. 1 July 2022.
4. News: Holohan 'taking time out' from role over wife's illness. RTÉ News and Current Affairs. 2 July 2020. 2 July 2020.
5. News: Dr Tony Holohan to step away from work as Chief Medical Officer for family reasons. TheJournal.ie. Adam. Daly. 2 July 2020. 2 July 2020.
6. News: Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan to return to work on Monday. RTÉ News and Current Affairs. Fergal. Bowers. 1 October 2020. 1 October 2020.
7. News: Minister Donnelly announces the appointment of Professor Breda Smyth as Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health. Department of Health. Stephen. Donnelly. 5 October 2022. 5 October 2022.
8. News: Public-health doctor who devised State’s policy to combat Aids. The Irish Times. 21 July 2018. 14 June 2021.
9. Web site: Joint Committee On Agriculture, Fisheries And Food Debate - Thursday, 15 Jan 2009. Oireachtas. 15 January 2009. 16 June 2020.

External links

• Department of Health, Ireland