The Tanaiste and Minister for Health has named Mr Kevin Kelly as interim CEO of the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The announcement was made this afternoon following a meeting of the HSE
Mr Kelly will step aside as Chairman of the HSE in order to take up this new interim position from January 1st next and will remain in place until a new CEO is appointed.
Ms Harney has also requested the Board of the Health Service Executive to bring forward recommendations regarding Mr Kelly's successor as Chairman.
The appointment follows yesterday's publication of the new Health Bill which will, subject to Oireachtas approval, provide for the formal establishment of the HSE. The accounting officer for the health service will be the new chief executive and not the secretary-general of the Department of Health.
The Health Bill 2004 set out a series of sweeping changes including a new management structure for the public health system.