The country is this morning thanking Dr Tony Holohan for his role as Chief Medical Officer in recent months after he stepped down last night.
Dr Holohan announced on Thursday that he would be taking the time to care for his wife who is receiving palliative care for cancer.
The Chief Medical Officer will step aside with immediate effect and will be replaced by deputy medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: "I would like to thank Dr. Holohan on behalf of myself and the people of Ireland for helping to guide this country through the COVID-19 emergency.
"His work, experience and briefings helped people to understand the gravity of the situation facing us, while his calmness reassured us that if we followed the guidelines and advice we would overcome these great challenges together.
"Every home in Ireland has come to know Dr. Tony Holohan. His leadership during the pandemic has given us all confidence that the decisions being made are based on solid public health advice. As a country we owe him and his family a great debt of gratitude."
Former Minister for Health Simon Harris who worked closely with the Dr also praised his work.
Deputy Harris said: "ony Holohan is a patriot, an incredible public servant & a doctor who has saved thousands of lives through his leadership. He has kept us safe. I valued his counsel as Minister so much. Thank you to his family for sharing him with us. We think of them & respect their privacy."
RTE presenter Bryan Dobson poignantly said: "So many of us across the nation will be more sad than we can say at this news. As a wise person once said: 'Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle of which you know nothing.'"
Actor Laurence Kinlan added: "Dr. Tony Holohan has done this Country a huge service in keeping us informed and positive through these past few months.
"Little did we know what him and his family have being going through. We owe him a lot, especially time away and privacy right now with his family."
At a press conference this evening to announce and explain the latest coronavirus figures for the country, Dr Holohan said at the end: "If I may detain you for a minute, just slightly unusually I have a personal statement that I'm going to read, if that's alright.
"From today, I'll be taking time out from all of my work commitments, with my family.
"My wife Emer was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer, in 2012.
"She's had a number of difficult years with her disease and was admitted to palliative care last Saturday.
"Now I want to give my energy, attention and all of my time to Emer and to our two teenage children Clodagh and Ronan."
