Tributes continue to flood in following the shock announcement that Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan would be stepping aside from the role.
Dr Holohan, who has led the charge in Ireland's battle against Covid-19, has become a household name for his work advising on public health throughout the pandemic.
During his final press briefing on Thursday, he announced that he would be stepping down to spend time with his family as his wife Emer, who is battling cancer, has been admitted to palliative care.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn will take over the position of Acting Chief Medical Officer.
Here is Dr Tony Holohan's statement in full:
From today I will be taking time out from all of my work commitments to be with my family.
My wife, Emer, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer in2012. She has had a number of difficult years with her disease and was admitted for palliative care last Saturday.
I now want to give my energy, attention and all of my attention to our two teenage children, Clodagh and Ronan.
I have spoken with the Taoiseach, Minister for Health and other colleagues about this, and they have kindly offered their support and best wishes to both of us.
A plan has been put in train for others to take over different aspects of my role. The Department will issue a statement in due course when that has been finalised.
I can confirm that Dr Ronan Glynn, who has worked alongside me for the duration of this pandemic, has been appointed acting Chief Medical Officer and will chair these press conferences from now on.
As a husband and a father, and as a public health doctor, I'm conscious that we all have been through tough times together over the last number of months and many families across the country have been affected by the course of COVID-19, suffering pain and loss of loved ones.
I hope that we can all remain working together to continue to stay vigilant, keep our social distance, and take personal responsibility for our own health, in the first instance, as well as looking after our family members, friends and those we care about most.
I would like to thank everyone for their ongoing support, understanding and respect for my family's privacy and would wish that to continue.
Thank you.
