Dr Ronan Glynn has resigned his position as Deputy Chief Medical Officer.

The Department of Health has confirmed that he is stepping down and will leave the role at the end of the month.

In a statement, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin thanked Dr Glynn for his “outstanding service to the Irish people”.

“I worked very well with Ronan throughout the pandemic and his unstinting, dedicated and tireless work in fighting COVID-19 was so important to the health and wellbeing of the nation,” he said.

“Ronan’s calm demeanour and knowledge of public health played a significant role in our national effort throughout the pandemic.”

He said Dr Glynn “personifies the very the best of Irish public service” and wished him well in the future.

Dr Glynn was appointed Acting Chief Medical Officer for a period during the pandemic when the CMO Dr Tony Holohan stood aside to focus on his family life during his late wife's illness.

He also acted as Chair of the National Public Health Emergency Team during that time.

Dr Glynn is now expected to take up a role in the private sector.

His resignation comes ahead of the planned departure of Dr Holohan, who is due to step down from his role in July.