Day-by-day account of how a good news story developed into a political storm
WHEN the news broke on Friday, March 25, that Tony Holohan was stepping down as Chief Medical Officer to become the Professor of Public Health Strategy and Leadership at Trinity College Dublin it was widely seen as a good news story.
The man who had guided Ireland through the Covid crisis was moving on to make a new contribution to the betterment of the nation.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and the Provost of Trinity College Dublin, Professor Linda
Doyle, were all smiles as they made the announcement. Mr Donnelly warmly wished the CMO ‘all the best in this new and exciting chapter in his career’. Taoiseach Micheál Martin thanked Mr Holohan for his service to the State, saying that: ‘His steadfast assured advice, and willingness to communicate over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic undoubtedly helped saved lives.’
Fast forward to a fortnight later and nobody is smiling in the wake of a week where, once again, public cynicism that Ireland is ruled by a civil service elite who operate by different rules to everyone else and run rings around hapless politicians was stoked further.
TUESDAY
More than a week after the announcement it emerges that as part of his Trinity deal Mr
Holohan will remain a Department of Health civil servant and be paid his public service salary of €187,000 indefinitely.
These specifics are news to the Cabinet – and Mr Donnelly only becomes aware of them after the original story has broken.
The wheels begin to come off the appointment when, amid claims by Independent TD Mattie McGrath of a ‘cosy cartel’, the Taoiseach reveals he had ‘no hand, act, or part’ and was not involved in the decision.
Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath concedes the appointment was unusual, stressing he ‘certainly wasn’t involved in this decision’ nor does he ‘have all the facts to hand’. He is ‘sure that those involved’ will ‘provide an explanation for the context in the period ahead’.
WEDNESDAY
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly’s interview on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland has trace elements of Simon Coveney’s infamous Zappone-gate performance, as he blithely observes that while he had been aware of the move two weeks ago he did not sign off on it.
But he stresses it was all ‘quite
normal’ and ‘it is all public money’.
The political mood darkens further when Robert Watt tells the Oireachtas Health Committee that Dr Holohan’s contract was of an ‘indefinite duration’.
Sinn Féin frontbencher David Cullinane warns such a position could become ‘problematic’.
THURSDAY
Tony Holohan’s appearance at a ‘private meeting’ of the Health Committee darkens the political mood even further.
In the Dáil, Leo Varadkar says: ‘It would have been far preferable if the full details around the secondment had been put in the public domain at the outset and I think that should have been done.
‘I know Minister McGrath is not satisfied with how this has been done and he is engaging with the Department of Health on that.’
The process speeds when Mr Holohan tells the committee his ‘fingerprints’ were over the move.
It’s all starting to have more than a hue of Zappone-gate over it.
And Mr Holohan’s cautious use of language in which he speaks about relinquishing, as distinct to resigning, his role of CMO does him few favours.
FRIDAY
The Taoiseach brings the entire process to a shuddering halt, saying the ‘secondment’ had to be paused and reassessed until he receives a report next week.
And in what is construed as a damning judgement of his own health minister, Mr Martin says he had not been fully apprised of the situation and did not have the full details behind it, adding: ‘I have asked the Minister for Health for the full report on the entire process that led up to this appointment and the Minister has asked the Secretary General of the Department of Health for that report.’ Significantly, Mr Martin receives the full support of the Tánaiste, who says: ‘Nobody was happy about this because even though we were not involved in any way, these things do reflect on us, because we’re the politicians in charge. And that’s why the Taoiseach took the decision to pause the appointment until we get a full report.’
SATURDAY
Just when it couldn’t get any more dramatic – Dr Holohan seizes the initiative, issuing a declaration that he has decided ‘not to proceed with my secondment as Professor of Public Health Leadership and Strategy, Trinity College Dublin’.
He says he does not wish ‘to see the controversy of the last few days continuing’.
In a masterful response, he adds: ‘My strong belief is this was a significant opportunity to work with the university sector to develop much-needed public health capacity and leadership for the future. I would like to thank Trinity and the Provost for their foresight and support in establishing this role.’
And he signs off with a sting in the tale, saying: ‘I look forward to sharing my knowledge and expertise outside of the public service.’
It is likely there will be no shortage of takers.