Prof Breda Smyth to leave chief medical officer role

Ireland’s chief medical officer Professor Breda Smyth is to step down from the role.

RTÉ understands that Professor Smyth has resigned from her position after 18 months.

Professor Smyth was officially appointed as Chief Medical Officer in the Department of Health in October 2022.

She had served as interim CMO for three months beforehand following the departure of Dr Tony Holohan

She had specialised in public health for the previous 16 years and was formerly Professor for Public Health Medicine in NUI Galway and Consultant in Public Health in HSE West

The Department of Health has been contacted for comment.