The chief executive of Fingal County Council, Paul Reid, has been announced as the new director general of the HSE.

He succeeds Tony O'Brien, who stepped down from the position in May 2018 after coming under major public and political pressure in the wake the CervicalCheck controversy.

Mr Reid, who has also previously worked for Eircom, Trocaire and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, was appointed following an open competition by the Public Appointment Service.

According to the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, in his previous roles, Mr Reid has developed ‘a strong reputation as a dynamic and ambitious leader, who was always up for a challenge, drove restructuring, controlled costs, delivered results and managed industrial relations well'.

He noted that Mr Reid takes up this new post ‘at a critical time of change and reform in our health service'.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, said Mr Reid has an ‘extensive skillset and a track record of reform'.

Mr Reid's tenure will last five years and he is expected to begin work on May 14. He said he is ‘truly honoured and excited' to be soon taking up the role of Director General of the HSE.

"There is no doubt this will be a huge challenge as we will have to manage and strengthen the current service delivery mechanisms, while at the same time leading the transformation to a new model of integrated care as set out under Sláintecare. The primary focus throughout my term will be the experiences of the patients and all who engage with us," he commented.