Dr Ronan Glynn will step up from his role as Deputy to acting Chief Medical Officer after Dr Tony Holohan stepped aside.
Dr Holohan announced on Thursday that due to his wife's illness he will no longer be fronting Ireland's response to the coronavirus.
The well-respected doctor has since received widespread praise for his work in the last few months.
But with the disease still a very real threat, Dr Ronan Glynn will immediately step into the role as Ireland continues to battle the virus.
Here's all you need to know about the acting Chief Medical Officer;
Who is Dr Ronan Glynn?
Dr. Glynn is a physiotherapist and medical doctor with a PhD in surgical oncology and postgraduate training in both surgery and Public Health Medicine.
He had been working as Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Head of the Health Protection Unit at the Department of Health in Ireland.
Where did he study?
The doctor graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy) from University College Dublin in 2002.
He then got a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Aberdeen in 2007.
How long has he been deputy chief?
Dr Ronan Glynn has been Dr Holohan's number two since 2018 and has been a regular face at the briefings since the pandemic began.
In Dr Holohan's absence he has chaired briefings and usually takes questions on the latest state of the virus in Ireland.
What will Dr Glynn do now?
Dr Glynn will now become the face of the Department of Health and brief the public on Mondays and Thursdays.
He will also chair NPHET meetings and speak to the Government in regards what measures need to be implemented.
