Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan is to be awarded the Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin.
Newly elected Lord Mayor Hazel Chu proposed Dr Holohan for the honour at the City Council's monthly meeting, with the nomination agreed and ratified by councillors this evening.
Lord Mayor Chu said: "I am honoured to propose Dr Tony Holohan, as the leader of the Covid response team, for Dublin City's highest award, the Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin.
"The position he holds represents all frontline workers and all the work they do.
"He has been a constant presence in our lives during Covid-19 and his calm manner in imparting advice gave reassurance to us all."
Speakers representing Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Independents, Social Democrats, Greens, Sinn Féin and Labour supported the resolution.
Councillors thanked Dr Holohan for his service to the country, especially as he was dealing with his wife's own medical difficulties at the same time.
Dr Holohan now joins a list of national and international figures such as Nelson Mandela, JFK, Bill Clinton and Mother Teresa as Freemen and Freewomen of the city.
The last person to be honoured was former Dublin GAA football manager Jim Gavin.
Former Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan to receive Freedom of Dublin City for his work during the Covid 19 crisis following agreement by councillors this evening #rtenews
— John_Kilraine (@John_Kilraine) July 6, 2020
Among the ancient privileges afforded to a Freeman or Freewoman is the right to bring goods into Dublin through the city gates, without paying customs duties; the right to pasture sheep on common ground within the city boundaries; and the right to vote in municipal and parliamentary elections.
The city council says the award, which acknowledges the contribution of recipients to the life of the capital, will be conferred on Dr Holohan at a future date.
Last week Dr Holohan said he was "taking time out" from his work commitments to be with his family as his wife Emer, who has cancer, had been admitted to palliative care.
